TheDC Interview: Ariel Sharon’s son Gilad on his new biography of his father

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon speaks during a press conference at his Jerusalem office, Monday Nov. 21 2005. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Gilad Sharon is the author of a new biography on the life of his father, former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, “Sharon: The Life of a Leader,” released Tuesday.

Gilad, who is a columnist for an Israeli newspaper, was a close personal confident to his father and often provided him advice, which he says his father would listen to and take seriously. Ariel Sharon was one of Israel’s greatest military commanders and most historic political leaders, culminating in his election as prime minister in 2001. As prime minister, he would transform the Israeli political landscape, pushing through disengagement from Gaza and successfully creating a new centrist party, Kadima. Sharon’s political career ended in 2006 after suffering a debilitating stroke that forced him from the prime minister’s office.

Gilad recently discussed his new book and the legacy of his father with The Daily Caller:

First things first, how is your father? What is his current condition?

My father is currently in the hospital. We visit him each and every day. We have been visiting him every single day — my brother, my wife and myself. Now that I am in [the United States] my brother is covering for me. He is strong, my father is very strong …

When he is asleep, he looks like lord of the manor sleeping. And when he is awake he looks at me, he moves his fingers when I ask him. For me, every little thing like that is a big deal and we hope for the best.

Is he aware when you are there, does he know what is going on around him?

When he is awake, he looks at me, I cannot — I don’t have any scientific proof, and I am not looking for one. I think that he is, you know.

Is there hope that his condition will improve?

I don’t know, I’m not dealing with chances or the percentage of people, you know, it is what it is and we are looking forward for him to get better.

What do you think your father’s legacy is?

My father will always be known as somebody who protected his people as a historical leader, as someone who cared always for Jews in Israel and all over the world. He enjoyed tremendous amount of love, love for him as prime minister across every political boundary. But not only in Israel. I mean, look at what other world leaders said about him. “Visionary leader,” said [former British] Prime Minister [Tony] Blair. “I admired him,” said [former U.S. President George W.] Bush. So this will be his legacy. He will be known. But for me, the most important thing is he’s my father, personal thing. The personal stories which I bring in the book, his presence at home, this is what we’ll miss. His great sense of humor. This is the most important thing for me.

NEXT: Was disengagement from Gaza a success despite the rocket attacks?