Though Israel has almost grown accustomed to tragedies and loss of life, the country is in yet another form of national mourning today, following the loss of the Columbia spacecraft and the crew of seven, including Col. Ilan Ramon.
World leaders including U.S. President George Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin telephoned Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and expressed their condolences on the tragic accident. Putin described Col. Ramon as an "excellent man and a person of hope," while Bush said this was a "tragic day for both the families of the astronauts and for science." Prime Minister Sharon, in turn, delivered his sincerest condolences to the American people and the astronauts’ families, and added that it is at moments such as these that "the hearts of the American and Israeli peoples beat as one… Let us pray together and support each other."
In memory of Ilan Ramon and his fellow astronauts who perished on the space shuttle Columbia, Israeli and US flags are lowered to half-mast at the entrance to the Prime Minister’s Office in Jerusalem. Sharon and US Ambassador to Israel Daniel Kurtzer addressed the government at the start of today's Cabinet meeting.
Arutz-7 has received letters of support and condolences from around the world, including India, Great Britain, Texas, and elsewhere. A reader in India - birthplace of Kalpana Chawla, another one of the deceased astronauts - wrote as follows:
"We, the citizens of India, deeply mourn the loss caused to Israel and also the whole world due to the sudden demise of Ilan Ramon, along with the other six on board space shuttle Columbia. No words can truly emote the feelings in the heart of the people who have been associated with the mission directly, indirectly.
"We offer our sincere homage to all those who strived all their life for the betterment of humanity.
"In this time of grief, we stand shoulder to shoulder as brothers and promise the almighty that our quest for the noble cause of betterment of humanity and the whole universe shall continue..."
World leaders including U.S. President George Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin telephoned Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and expressed their condolences on the tragic accident. Putin described Col. Ramon as an "excellent man and a person of hope," while Bush said this was a "tragic day for both the families of the astronauts and for science." Prime Minister Sharon, in turn, delivered his sincerest condolences to the American people and the astronauts’ families, and added that it is at moments such as these that "the hearts of the American and Israeli peoples beat as one… Let us pray together and support each other."
In memory of Ilan Ramon and his fellow astronauts who perished on the space shuttle Columbia, Israeli and US flags are lowered to half-mast at the entrance to the Prime Minister’s Office in Jerusalem. Sharon and US Ambassador to Israel Daniel Kurtzer addressed the government at the start of today's Cabinet meeting.
Arutz-7 has received letters of support and condolences from around the world, including India, Great Britain, Texas, and elsewhere. A reader in India - birthplace of Kalpana Chawla, another one of the deceased astronauts - wrote as follows:
"We, the citizens of India, deeply mourn the loss caused to Israel and also the whole world due to the sudden demise of Ilan Ramon, along with the other six on board space shuttle Columbia. No words can truly emote the feelings in the heart of the people who have been associated with the mission directly, indirectly.
"We offer our sincere homage to all those who strived all their life for the betterment of humanity.
"In this time of grief, we stand shoulder to shoulder as brothers and promise the almighty that our quest for the noble cause of betterment of humanity and the whole universe shall continue..."