Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Sharon as one of Israel’s greatest military commanders. Ariel Sharon died at the age of 85 on Saturday, after eight years in a coma caused by a stroke.

A day after his death, Sharon’s body was placed in the plaza in front of the Knesset. Hundreds of Israelis lined up to pay their last respects. On Sunday evening, Sharon’s body was carried into parliament. Under Jewish law, funerals must be carried out as soon as possible.

At today’s memorial ceremony, US Vice President Joe Biden and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair headed the long list of visitors who gathered outside Israel’s parliament building.