Phil Gramm
American economist and politician
Ariel Sharon was an influential Israeli politician and military leader who served as the 11th prime minister of Israel from 2001 to 2006. He played a key role in several major Israeli military operations and was a central figure in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, both as a general and as a politician.
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Occupation
About the Ariel Sharon
Ariel Sharonwas an Israeli general and politician who served as the 11th prime minister of Israel from March 2001 until April 2006.
Born in Kfar Malal in Mandatory Palestine to Russian Jewish immigrants, he rose in the ranks of the Israeli Army from its creation in 1948, participating in the 1948 Palestine war as platoon commander of the Alexandroni Brigade and taking part in several battles. Sharon became an instrumental figure in the creation of Unit 101 and the reprisal operations, including the 1953 Qibya massacre, as well as in the 1956 Suez Crisis, the Six-Day War of 1967, the War of Attrition, and the Yom-Kippur War of 1973. Yitzhak Rabin called Sharon “the greatest field commander in our history”. Upon leaving the military, Sharon entered politics, joining the Likud party, and served in a number of ministerial posts in Likud-led governments in 1977-92 and 1996-99. As Minister of Defense, he directed the 1982 Lebanon War. An official enquiry found that he bore “personal responsibility” for the Sabra and Shatila massacre of Palestinian refugees, for which he became known as the “Butcher of Beirut” among Arabs. He was subsequently removed as defense minister.
From the 1970s through to the 1990s, Sharon championed construction of Israeli settlements in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip. He became the leader of the Likud in 1999, and in 2000, amid campaigning for the 2001 prime ministerial election, made a controversial visit to the Al-Aqsa complex on the Temple Mount, triggering the Second Intifada. He subsequently defeated Ehud Barak in the election and served as Israel’s prime minister from 2001 to 2006. As Prime Minister, Sharon orchestrated the construction of the Israeli West Bank barrier in 2002-03 and Israel’s unilateral disengagement from the Gaza Strip in 2005. Facing stiff opposition to the latter policy within the Likud, in November 2005 he left Likud to form a new party, Kadima. He had been expected to win the next election and was widely interpreted as planning on “clearing Israel out of most of the West Bank”, in a series of unilateral withdrawals. Following a stroke on 4 January 2006, Sharon remained in a permanent vegetative state until his death in 2014.
Sharon remains a highly polarizing figure in Middle Eastern history. Israelis almost universally revere Sharon as a war hero and statesman, whereas Palestinians and Human Rights Watch have criticized him as a war criminal, with the latter lamenting that he was never held accountable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ariel Sharon was an Israeli general and politician who served as the 11th prime minister of Israel from 2001 to 2006. He was a prominent figure in the Israeli military and participated in several major conflicts, including the 1948 Palestine war, the Suez Crisis, the Six-Day War, and the Yom Kippur War.
Ariel Sharon was an instrumental figure in the creation of Unit 101 and the reprisal operations, including the 1953 Qibya massacre, which targeted Palestinian villages in retaliation for Palestinian attacks on Israelis.
As Minister of Defense, Ariel Sharon directed the 1982 Lebanon War. An official enquiry found that he bore ,personal responsibility, for the Sabra and Shatila massacre of Palestinian refugees, for which he became known as the ,Butcher of Beirut, among Arabs.
In 2000, amid campaigning for the 2001 prime ministerial election, Ariel Sharon made a controversial visit to the Al-Aqsa complex on the Temple Mount, which triggered the outbreak of the Second Intifada, a Palestinian uprising against the Israeli occupation.
As Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon orchestrated the construction of the Israeli West Bank barrier in 2002–03 and Israel’s unilateral disengagement from the Gaza Strip in 2005. He had also been expected to pursue a series of unilateral withdrawals from the West Bank.
Ariel Sharon remains a highly polarizing figure in Middle Eastern history. Israelis almost universally revere him as a war hero and statesman, whereas Palestinians and Human Rights Watch have criticized him as a war criminal, with the latter lamenting that he was never held accountable.
Ariel Sharon’s political career came to an end after he suffered a stroke in 2006, which left him in a permanent vegetative state until his death in 2014.
8 Quotes by Ariel Sharon
- 1.
Israel may have the right to put others on trial, but certainly no one has the right to put the Jewish people and the State of Israel on trial.
Ariel SharonPrime Minister of Israel from 2001 to 2006
- 2.
There is no bullet-proof vest in my size.
Ariel SharonPrime Minister of Israel from 2001 to 2006
- 3.
A lie should be tried in a place where it will attract the attention of the world.
Ariel SharonPrime Minister of Israel from 2001 to 2006
- 4.
The ongoing conflict between us has caused heavy suffering to both peoples. The future can and must be different. Both our peoples are destined to live together side by side, on this small piece of land. This reality we cannot change.
Ariel SharonPrime Minister of Israel from 2001 to 2006
- 5.
Like all Israelis, I yearn for peace. I see the utmost importance in taking all possible steps that will lead to a solution of the conflict with the Palestinians.
Ariel SharonPrime Minister of Israel from 2001 to 2006
- 6.
We extend our hand towards peace. Our people are committed to peace. We know that peace entails painful compromise for both sides.
Ariel SharonPrime Minister of Israel from 2001 to 2006
- 7.
Netanyahu is pressured easily, gets into a panic, and loses his senses… to run a country like Israel a leader needs to have reason and judgment and nerves of steel, two traits he does not have.
Ariel SharonPrime Minister of Israel from 2001 to 2006
- 8.
Iran, Libya and Syria are irresponsible states, which must be disarmed of weapons of mass destruction, and a successful American move in Iraq as a model will make that easier to achieve.
Ariel SharonPrime Minister of Israel from 2001 to 2006