Ariel Sharon is the former Prime Minister of Israel. Sharon held the position from March 2001 until April 2006. On January 4, 2006, Sharon suffered a massive stroke, his second, at which time he fell into a coma. It has since been determined there is little chance he will ever emerge from the coma. BBC: Profile: Ariel Sharon

• 1973: Elected Knesset member for Likud
• 1975-1977: Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin's special security adviser
• 1977-1981: Minister of Agriculture
• 1981-1983: Minister of Defense
• 1984-1990: Minister of Trade and Industry
• 1990-1992: Minister of Construction and Housing
• 1996-1998: Minister of National Infrastructure
• 1998-1999: Foreign Minister
• 2001-2006: Prime Minister of Israel

Sharon fought in the 1948 Arab Israeli War. The war ended the British Mandate of Palestine and established the state of Israel. Sharon was a platoon commander in the Alexandroni Brigade during the war. In the 1950s, Sharon led attacks on civilian and military targets. These military campaigns gave Sharon the reputation of being a tough commander. In 1974, Sharon was relieved of all military duties. BBC: Profile: Ariel Sharon