Reps. Wasserman Shultz, Engel to attend Sharon funeral, WH says

Reps. Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) will join the presidential delegation to Israel to attend the funeral of former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, the White House announced on Sunday.

Vice President Biden will lead the delegation, which will also include U.S. Ambassador Daniel Shapiro and former Ambassador Daniel Kurtzer.

While in Israel, Biden will meet with Israeli President Shimon Peres and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to a White House pool report.

President Obama will not attend Sharon’s funeral.

{mosads}Sharon died Saturday after spending eight years in a coma following a debilitating stroke. He was 85.

Obama offered his condolences on Saturday, saying Sharon was a leader “who dedicated his life to the State of Israel.”

Obama said he was joining with the Israeli people to honor Sharon’s “commitment to his country.”

“We reaffirm our unshakable commitment to Israel’s security and our appreciation for the enduring friendship between our two countries and our two peoples,” Obama said. “We continue to strive for lasting peace and security for the people of Israel, including through our commitment to the goal of two states living side-by-side in peace and security.”

—This report was updated on Monday at 10:00 a.m.