Definition: In this task, you will be presented with a passage and have to answer a question based on your understanding of the events inferred from the passage. Try to find the best answer that is most likely to fill in "_". Note that the URLs in the text have been replaced with [Link].
Input: Thousands of people paid their last respects to Israel's former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon Sunday as his body lay in state outside the nation's parliament. "He was one of the giants. He was very special," said Ayala Weisel, who said she grew up learning of Sharon as a widely admired soldier who fought for his country. She was one of many mourners who shared memories with CNN on Sunday of Sharon, the towering military and political leader who died Saturday after eight years in a coma. Chaim Friedman, a tour guide, described Sharon as a great leader. "He was known as the bulldozer because he got his way and he made things happen. He's well respected for that," Friedman said. "Sometimes in Israel, you have to do it the straight way, or you have to find the other way to get things done, and he managed to do it.""He was one of the giants," one mourner saysMemorial ceremony, procession and military funeral set for MondaySharon is remembered for his controversial military and political careerIsraeli officials praise him, while some in the Mideast criticize him 
 Question:He believed strongly that in order for _ to survive, a strong army was needed.

Israel