May 6, 2015
Why Ariel Sharon Thanked Scooter Libby
At a critical juncture in the early 2000s, the White House adviser helped repair a fraying U.S.-Israel relationship.
On January 3, 2006, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of Israel did something he had been meaning to do for a long time. Sitting in his office on the eve of his hospitalization for surgery, he picked up a copy of his autobiography, Warrior, and inscribed this message:
Dear Scooter!
A dedicated servant to your country, a true friend, always there when needed!
With deep appreciation,
Shalom from Jerusalem,
Sincerely,
Ariel Sharon
The next day, a devastating stroke effectively brought Sharon’s life’s journey to a shocking end. As a friend and close adviser to the prime minister, I can’t help thinking that, in paying tribute to I. Lewis (“Scooter”) Libby, he had somehow sensed that, for him, it was now or never.