FactsOfIsrael.com: Address by Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon on the arrival of Ilan Ramon's coffin

February 10, 2003

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Address by Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon on the arrival of Ilan Ramon's coffin

I have just listened to the address given by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on the arrival of Ilan Ramon's coffin. I copy it below:

Dear Ramon Family, Mr. Wolferman, Ilan's brother Gady, Rona, Assaf, Tal, Yiftah and Noa,
Allow me, on behalf of the people of Israel, here and in the Diaspora, to honor the memory of Ilan Ramon, in love and pain, on this, his last road in our homeland.

Beyond all the memorial services, your mourning is first of all personal and
private. You have just returned to us, with Ilan's coffin, and are suffering pain which cannot be healed. This is not how you imagined - how we all imagined - your homecoming.

The pain you suffer is the pain we all suffer. Ilan has touched the hidden spot in every Jew's heart. He tugged at the strings of all our hearts.

His youthful face, his eternal smile, his fresh countenance, the twinkle in his eyes - penetrated our souls. His image, projected from above, was the reflection of Israel at its best - Israel as we would have liked to see it - the Israel we love.

The Torah Scroll brought by a Jewish boy from a concentration camp, the Kiddush Cup, the Israeli flag, and the Israel Airforce badge touched and excited all Jews. They constituted a source of pride and united our hearts in these trying times.

Far up there - at the edge of the scope of human achievement - we could not have had a better and more fitting representative.

Ilan, the son of a mother who survived the Holocaust, and a father who is a veteran of the War of Independence, was a courageous combat pilot and an outstanding officer, and was among the best of our sons and warriors.

On his last mission he soared higher than any other Israeli, and realized his dream.

In his journey into space in the American Shuttle, with his six shipmates, he brought great honor to the people of Israel.

The Star of David, the "blue and white" of our flag, were interwoven with the American Stars and Stripes, and the common fate of the team poignantly strengthened the staunch partnership between our nations.

At this moment our hearts also go out to the families of the other victims, and to the American people, in brotherhood and sincere condolences.

A day will come when other Israelis will be launched into space in the service of science and progress. For them and for us Ilan Ramon will always be a source of inspiration, as Israel's space pioneer, and his memory will be engraved in our hearts forever.

Tomorrow, when he is brought to rest in the earth of the Valley, we will remember that Ilan was plucked in his prime, at the zenith of his aspirations, and at a time when he acquired world fame.

Hopefully, this will be a source of comfort to his grieving family, his loved ones, and all of Israel.

Address by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on the Arrival of Ilan Ramon's Coffin February 10, 2003, Israel Government Press Office

Posted by David Melle

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Comments

In dealing with a sore which causes pain and suffering , you elimate the sore.Since Palestinian is the sore, then elimate the sore.

Posted by: W. Harris at May 19, 2003 06:10 AM

Many in the United States Stand behind Israel and much of what is determined to be necessary in regard to the elimination of the terrorist threat in your country. hamas, the al auxa martyrs brigade, the PLO... we recognize their days must be limited.

Signed,
A friend of Israel

Posted by: Daniel L. Getzin at June 12, 2003 10:41 PM

mr. prime minister: i have wr-
itten pres. bush and vice-pre-
sident chaney to stand behind
israel. i have done this in
the past, and did so today. i
will continue to do so. thank
you for being hard line to the
palestinians. people forget
all of arafat's demands were
met several years ago and he
turned them down. have people
forgotten? "he who forgets hi-
story is condemned to repeat
it."islam wants the death of jews. and that means israel.
i think nothing other than the permanent exp-
ulsion of all arabs from isr-
ael will suffice.it is proxi-
mity that causes problems. the
world needs ALTERNATE sources
of fuel. not arab oil.robert
dean. memphis, tenn.

Posted by: robert dean at June 26, 2003 09:32 AM

From Kurdistan liberal democrat group.
To sir"ariel sharon”prime minister of great israel .
Dear sir.
We are kurdistan liberal democrat group in the south territory of kurdistan saw that our enemy is one , there are “Arabs” there for must be we cooperate ourseleves or cooperation between the israel`s nation and kurdistan`s nation and between the jewish people and kurdish people contrary the arab`s inhumanity and ignorance and terrorisme and protection ours people from them dangerce and security the peace and grow and freedom for all poeples`s world .
These massage is for there be ours objects in the future .
Best wishes.
28/8/2003

Posted by: kurdistan liberal democrat group at August 28, 2003 06:52 AM

It is the eternal kindom. No one can deny it. More of the nations will seek help in yearsto come. It is a blessed city of the Lord

Posted by: Absalom Lalthlamuana Hnamte at September 25, 2003 03:10 PM

I just wanted to say that I do realize that regardless there will always be a war of some type between Israeli and Palestine, but sir do you not believe that the everyday Palestinas deserve a life too? Can you not consider giving the room to live? For every 10 settlements I read you have taken down I feel good but then I read another 7 have been put up? I donot profess to understand I just do know too many young people and children are being hurt and killed over land? Why bulldoze people's homes? Please try to be bigger than the terrorist and when you go to get them be sure it is them and they are not driving down the street filled with civilians.

Posted by: Bonnie at October 27, 2003 07:31 PM

Shalom Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Mr. Prime Minister & Mrs. Sharon , My nephew Adam Levi turns 13 this month; and as all great Jewish men with high moral values and great Jewish family traditions; Adam will be Bar Mitzvah; coming up this Friday Saturday & Sunday [Note: Personal Address deleted by FactsOfIsrael.com moderator] in Los Angeles, California. With my brother Edward and sister-in-law Julie and their daughter Rebecha and of course Adam I/We extend to You and Mrs Sharon an open and welcome invitation to attend. Realizing forthwith that Your schedules may not allow You to attend; yet I extend this invitation, knowing full and well, You are overseeing OUR great country of Israel, at such a sad and very unnerving time in our rich Jewish history. In closing; may I ask to please forward by U.S. mail Your RSVP. Thanking You in Advance; With kindest personal regards to You and the Mrs. and the entire Sharon family. Respectfully; David Harrison Levi attn: [Note: Personal Address deleted by FactsOfIsrael.com moderator], California , USA ps Please include Your autographed photo! PLEASE BRING PEACE to the MIDDLE EAST! Shalom

Posted by: David Harrison Levi at April 12, 2004 01:34 AM