Follow Newser on Twitter   Friend Newser on Facebook
Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Comatose Ariel Sharon Heads Home

Ex-PM shows no signs of emerging from 5-year coma

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 12, 2010 5:04 AM CST

(Newser) – Former Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon is back home on his ranch after nearly 5 years in a secure hospital ward, still comatose and attached to a respirator. The former general, whose controversial leadership was ended by a series of strokes in early 2006, was taken from his hospital in Tel Aviv to his family ranch in southern Israel, AP reports. Sharon has been in what medical staff describe as a "limbo" state—uncommunicative, but responsive to basic stimuli and TV.

Doctors downplayed any suggestion that the 82-year-old former leader could make a significant recovery or even—as some of his more fervent supporters hope for—return to public life, reports Reuters. "Clearly what's behind this is the hope that his situation will get better. But the improvements that we talk about in such situations are not great improvements, not dramatic improvements," said a hospital chief.

An ambulance that transported former Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon parks next to his home on his ranch in southern Israel.
An ambulance that transported former Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon parks next to his home on his ranch in southern Israel.   (AP Photo/Tsafrir Abayov)
Ariel Sharon is flanked by Israeli flags as he listens to members of the Israel Bonds Soldidarity Mission in 2002.
Ariel Sharon is flanked by Israeli flags as he listens to members of the Israel Bonds Soldidarity Mission in 2002.   (Getty Images)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
My TakeCLICK BELOW TO VOTE
13%
8%
63%
5%
3%
8%
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
NoddaAndYou
Nov 13, 2010 5:24 PM CST
That's too bad. Personally didn't agree with a lot of his policies, but I wouldn't wish this on anyone. :(

 
Israel • Ariel Sharon • coma

More Newser Stories

Ariel Sharon Turns 80 in Coma

Hillary's Wrong: Bush, Israel Agreed on Settlements

Olmert Has Prostate Cancer

Israel's Parliament Elects Peres President

Israeli Labor Party Picks Barak to Lead
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Timelines   |   Geek Sugar   |   Business Insider   |   HuffPost Entertainment