Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

On indulgence, I rise to acknowledge the passing of Ariel Sharon, former Prime Minister of Israel. Ariel Sharon was one of the architects of modern Israel. He was one of the founding fathers of the state of Israel. He was a soldier who fought during Israel's major historic wars before going on to become a political leader. At times a hawk, at times a dove, he reshaped the political landscape of Israel with his decision to pull out of the Gaza Strip in 2005. As a reflection of Australia's close relationship with Israel, Foreign Minister Bishop attended Mr Sharon's funeral to express the sympathies of the Australian government and the Australian people in person.

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