Prime Minister of Israel Ariel Sharon, 77, suffered a massive stroke on Jan. 4 that has left him in critical condition and may render him permanently incapacitated.
Nut: Sharon’s illness has brought many Israelis and Jews around the world together in their prayers for the leader of their country and the concern for the well-being of Israel.
Sharon, who is considered by many to be Israel’s most popular politician, seems to be recovering from the stroke which led to significant brain hemorrhaging, forcing doctors to put him into a medically induced coma to reduce the pressure in his brain. While his condition is stable, doctors said there is no guarantee he will wake from the coma.
While Sharon has shown some signs of improvement during the 12 days since he slipped into his coma, his doctors are worried because his recovery is taking longer than expected.
It is unlikely Sharon’s condition will improve enough to allow him to return to office.
Sharon experienced a minor stroke on Dec. 18 that left a small hole in his heart that was scheduled to be repaired Jan. 5, the day after he suffered his massive stroke. His doctors speculate the second stroke may have been a result of the blood thinning medication he was prescribed after his first stroke.
In an effort to wean him off his respirator, doctors performed a tracheotomy on Sharon Jan. 15.
Adam Bronstone, a director of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans, said rabbis have asked their congregations to pray for Sharon’s health at synagogues around the world.
He said national Jewish organizations have sent e-mails and made phone calls to the Jewish communities asking for their prayers.
Every Jew, regardless of political strife wants to see the man be healthy again, Bronstone said.
Bronstone said Sharon’s absence has risen many concerns for Jews about what will become of the state of Israel.
James Bullman, president of Tigers for Israel, said the University’s Jewish community is hopeful that he will recover and at least be a participant in some fashion for the peace process in the future.
Bronstone said many people think Sharon is the best hope for peace in the Middle East.
What’s been going on is one guy moving forward the vision of the Middle East and no one else doing anything, Bronstone said.
This past year Sharon was responsible for giving the Gaza Strip to the Palestinians to create a barrier securing Israelis from terrorists.
He was the driving force [for peace] on the Israeli side, Bullman said.
Charles Isbell, rabbi and Hebrew language and Jewish studies professor, said he would not ask God to heal Sharon because he does not think it is right to instruct God what to do, rather he is asking for the courage and wisdom of the leaders of Israel to guide Jews through this tragedy.
Isbell said he is concerned for an Israel without Sharon’s leadership.
He said because of Sharon’s sterling military record strong in defense and military security that Sharon could talk about compromise and not be labeled soft or weak.
Vice Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has been named acting Prime Minister while Sharon is incapacitated and will run in March for leadership of Kadima, a centrist political party formed by Sharon.
Kadima means forward in Hebrew.
But opinions differ greatly on how effective a leader Olmert would be for Israel.
Bronstone said he thinks Olmert is very capable of taking over.
Olmert’s a really smart guy, but he does not have some of the experience that Sharon has, Bronstone said. My sense is that he is going to be able to carry on the legacy of Sharon.
Isbell said he was not confident in Olmert’s ability to succeed Sharon.
Olmert’s not bad or evil, he’s just ordinary, Isbell said. But often times very ordinary people rise to the challenge when placed in positions of great responsibility.
Isbell said he thinks that without Sharon, Kadima, will lose its voice and many people who left their former political parties to follow Sharon will leave Kadima to return to them.
Bronstone disagreed saying Kadima, which was created by Sharon as an alternative to the extreme left and extreme right, will maintain power in the upcoming March election because it appeals to the majority of Israelis who are moderate.
According to recent polls, Kadima will receive 40 out of 120 seats in Israeli parliament.
Isbell said he is saddened and concerned that Sharon’s illness may be used improperly by political hacks to advance their own agenda, but he said he is optimistic that wisdom will prevail.
The biggest mistake that Palestinians could make is to think this will weaken the resolve of Israeli people, Isbell said. This is not an opportunity for Palestine to gain an advantage in negotiation or struggle.
Israelis, Jews pray for Sharon
January 17, 2006