Funeral for Ariel Sharon Planned for Monday, U.S. Delegation Announced - East Idaho News
World

Funeral for Ariel Sharon Planned for Monday, U.S. Delegation Announced

  Published at

Getty 011214 ArielSharon?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1389540888818URIEL SINAI/AFP/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) — President Obama announced the U.S. delegation that will travel to Israel for the funeral of former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on Sunday.

Vice President Joe Biden said in a statement on Saturday that he would lead the delegation, which includes the U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Daniel Shapiro, Rep. Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., and former Ambassador to Israel Daniel Kurtzner.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will not attend the funeral, due to “previously scheduled meetings in Paris,” a statement said. The State Department says that the meetings pertain to Syria and the Middle East peace process. Kerry did, however, speak with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday to offer his condolences.

Sharon’s coffin will be brought to the Knesset — the national legislature of Israel — on Sunday for the public to pay its respects. A memorial service will be held on Monday with a military funeral later Monday.

Copyright 2014 ABC News Radio

SUBMIT A CORRECTION