APN's President and CEO Debra DeLee said: "Israelis today are saying farewell to a bold leader who toward the end of his political career was transformed from a staunch hawk who initiated war and provocative belligerent actions to a leader who recognized that Israel's strategic interests lie in an agreement with the Palestinians.

"In 2005, shortly before he fell into an eight-year coma, Sharon said: 'He who had seen the horrifying toll of war, has vowed to save the children of today and of tomorrow from the next war.' As the sister organization of Israel's peace movement, Peace Now, we can only hope that Sharon's pledge would serve as inspiration for the current and future leaders of Israel."