As the body of former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon lay in state in Jerusalem, thousands of well-wishers filed past his coffin to pay their last respects.<br /><br />Among the first visitors was Israeli President Shimon Peres, visibly moved by the death of his friend.<br /><br />Other world figures are expected to bid farewell to Sharon at a memorial service in Jerusalem on Monday.<br /><br />In a coma since 2006, Sharon’s death at the age of 85 was not a great surprise.<br /><br />He was a contentious figure in life and his death has provoked mixed reactions.<br /><br />“He was a controversial figure. But I think anybody who has to make decisions and actually do something, will always have controversial decisions,” said one well-wisher in Jerusalem. “He’s a man who played a pivotal role in Israeli history and is a hero by any kind of objective standard.”<br /><br />Another passer-by spoke of Sharon’s famous decision to withdraw settlers from Gaza, paraphrasing a statement the leader made during his time as prime minister.<br /><br />“Of course, some people are annoyed with him because they think he has betrayed their ideals. He said: ‘From where I am, I see things that I did not see from where I used to be’. That’s the reality of the situation. <br /><br />“Personally, I think his decision to withdraw from Gaza was the right one. It was necessary. I think most Israelis owe a lot to him, and respect him.”<br /><br />The Israeli Cabinet also paid their respects at the Knesset, observing a minute’s silence in honour of the man who many Israelis will remember as brilliant but unpredictable.<br /><br />As a former army commander turned politician, Ariel Sharon will be given a military funeral on Monday at his ranch in the Negev desert. Prior to this, a state ceremony in honour of his life will be held at the Knesset.
