"A daring leader who loved his nation. He was one of Israel's great protectors and most important architects, who knew no fear and certainly never feared vision."

Israeli President Shimon Peres

"Today is the end of an era, the era of the first, the era of the giants, the era of the generation of leaders who fought in the war of independence."

Dov Weissglass, Sharon's former adviser

"He stood at the forefront of the divisions in the most sensitive and painful places, but he … understood well that there is a limit in our ability to conduct wars."

Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert