MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Sunday expressed sympathies on the death of former Israel Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.
“The Philippines joins the government and people of Israel in mourning the passage of their former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon,” DFA spokesperson Raul Hernandez said in a text message to media.
Sharon died on Saturday at the age of 85 at a hospital near Tel Aviv. He was in a coma since suffering a massive stroke in 2006.
“He was a bold and vigorous leader in war and in peace. May his important contributions in the quest for peace be long remembered,” Hernandez said.
The former prime minister was a controversial leader, both loved and hated by people.
His “ruthless methods” as a political and military leader earned him the moniker “The Bulldozer.”
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