[JURIST] Omri Sharon, son of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon [BBC profile], appealed his nine-month prison sentence [JURIST report] on Thursday, apologizing for his actions and arguing that his resignation from the Knesset was punishment enough. Sharon was convicted of illegally raising money [JURIST report] for his father's re-election campaign.

The start of Sharon's prison term was delayed until September 1 because of his father's poor health. Some believe his sentence would have been longer if not for Ariel Sharon's severe stroke in January. Xinhua has more. Haaretz has local coverage.