Dr. Shlomo Segev made the remarks in a program broadcast Saturday on Israeli television that coincided with the fifth anniversary of the massive stroke that incapacitated the ex-prime minister.

The 82-year-old Sharon, who personally supervised the killings of thousands of Palestinians in the massacres of Sabra and Chatilla refugee camps in Beirut, and under whose rule from 2001 to 2006 thousands more were killed by Israeli occupation forces in Palestinian territories, had a stroke five years ago that left him comatose.

Severe hemorrhaging caused significant brain damage and he has been in a vegetative state since.

Former Sharon spokesman Raanan Gissin saud there has been no change in Sharon's condition.

Sharon was moved home in November, but Gissin said he has since been returned to the long-term care facility outside Tel Aviv for treatment.