Ariel Sharon, Israeli general and politician, 11th Prime Minister of Israel (d. 2014)

Ariel Sharon, born Ariel Scheinermann (Hebrew: אֲרִיאֵל שַׁיינֶרְמָן‎) on February 26, 1928, and affectionately known by his diminutive Arik (אָרִיק‎), was a towering and often controversial figure in Israeli history. A formidable general who later transitioned into a powerful politician, Sharon ultimately served as the 11th Prime Minister of Israel from March 2001 until April 2006. His life, which ended on January 11, 2014, after years in a vegetative state, was deeply intertwined with the very fabric of the modern state of Israel, marked by both strategic brilliance and profound controversy.

A Military Career Forged in Conflict

Ariel Sharon was a commander in the nascent Israeli Army from its very inception in 1948, the year of Israel's independence. His military career began almost immediately, shaping his identity as a soldier and later, an officer, deeply involved in the nation's foundational conflicts. During the 1948 Palestine War, he distinguished himself as a platoon commander in the Alexandroni Brigade, participating in numerous critical engagements, including Operation Bin Nun Alef. His early prowess and uncompromising leadership style were evident, leading to his instrumental role in the formation of Unit 101, a special forces unit renowned for its reprisal operations in the early 1950s.

Sharon's strategic mind and battlefield courage continued to define his military path through several pivotal conflicts. He played significant roles in the 1956 Suez Crisis, a complex geopolitical confrontation, and was a key figure in the lightning-fast victory of the 1967 Six-Day War, which dramatically altered the map of the Middle East. His command continued through the War of Attrition and, most notably, the dire circumstances of the 1973 Yom Kippur War, where his bold maneuvers were credited with turning the tide in the Sinai. Such was his reputation that Yitzhak Rabin, another future Prime Minister, famously lauded Sharon as "the greatest field commander in our history." These experiences deeply etched his reputation as a warrior, but also foreshadowed the hardline approach he would often take in politics.

Transition to Politics and Enduring Controversies

Following his distinguished military career, Ariel Sharon seamlessly transitioned into the political arena. He aligned himself with the Likud party, a right-wing, nationalist political force in Israel, and quickly secured various ministerial posts within Likud-led governments between 1977–92 and again from 1996–99. His political rise mirrored his military ascent: decisive, unyielding, and often polarizing.

The "Butcher of Beirut" Controversy

Perhaps the most indelible and controversial chapter of Sharon's political life occurred during his tenure as Minister of Defense. In this role, he directed the 1982 Lebanon War. This conflict became deeply controversial, particularly due to the Sabra and Shatila massacre, where Lebanese Christian militias, allies of Israel, killed thousands of Palestinian and Lebanese civilians in refugee camps. An official Israeli enquiry, the Kahan Commission, found that Sharon bore "personal responsibility" for failing to prevent the massacre and recommended his removal as Defense Minister. This devastating judgment led to his infamous moniker, the "Butcher of Beirut," a label used predominantly by Arabs and critics worldwide, which would forever color his international image.

Champion of Settlements

Throughout the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, Sharon became the most vocal and prominent champion for the construction of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. This policy was a cornerstone of his political ideology, seen by many Israelis as a vital security measure and a fulfillment of historical and religious claims, while viewed by Palestinians and much of the international community as an illegal obstacle to peace and Palestinian statehood.

Prime Minister: From Hardliner to Disengager

In 2000, Ariel Sharon ascended to the leadership of the Likud party, and just a year later, in 2001, he was elected Prime Minister of Israel, decisively defeating Ehud Barak amidst the escalating violence of the Al-Aqsa Intifada. His premiership, which lasted from 2001 to 2006, was a period of intense security challenges and profound political shifts.

The Gaza Disengagement Plan

As Prime Minister, Sharon, the long-time proponent of settlements, surprised many by orchestrating Israel's unilateral disengagement from the Gaza Strip in 2004–05. This policy involved the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops and settlers from Gaza, a move he believed was necessary for Israel's long-term security. However, this decision faced immense opposition from within his own Likud party, leading to a dramatic realignment of the Israeli political landscape. In November 2005, unable to reconcile with his party's hardline faction, Sharon made the audacious move of leaving Likud to form a new centrist party, Kadima. Kadima aimed to provide a political home for those who supported a more pragmatic approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including further unilateral withdrawals from parts of the West Bank. He was widely expected to win the upcoming election, signaling a potential new era of Israeli policy, when tragedy struck.

Sudden Illness and Passing

On January 4, 2006, Ariel Sharon suffered a severe stroke. This devastating event left him in a permanent vegetative state, from which he never recovered. He remained in this condition for eight years until his death on January 11, 2014, leaving his ambitious political plans unfulfilled and his complex legacy for history to judge.

A Divisive Legacy: War Hero or War Criminal?

Even years after his death, Ariel Sharon remains an extraordinarily polarizing figure in Middle East history, embodying the deep divides and conflicting narratives of the region. Israelis almost universally revere Sharon as a national war hero and a shrewd statesman who played a vital, often life-saving, role in defining the country's borders and securing its existence. They remember his military genius and his decisive leadership, particularly during moments of crisis.

Conversely, Palestinians and many international critics revile Sharon as an impenitent war criminal, directly responsible for the suffering of their people and for vigorously suppressing their aspirations for nationhood. The memory of Sabra and Shatila, alongside his long-standing advocacy for settlements, cements his image as an antagonist in the Palestinian narrative. His life story, therefore, is not merely a biography but a microcosm of the unresolved conflicts and profound historical wounds that continue to define the Israeli-Palestinian struggle.

FAQs About Ariel Sharon

Who was Ariel Sharon?
Ariel Sharon was a prominent Israeli general and politician who served as the 11th Prime Minister of Israel from 2001 to 2006. He was known for his distinguished military career and his controversial political decisions.
When did Ariel Sharon serve as Prime Minister?
He served as Prime Minister of Israel from March 2001 until April 2006.
What were Ariel Sharon's key military achievements?
Sharon participated in every major Israeli war from 1948 to 1973, including the 1948 Palestine War, 1956 Suez Crisis, 1967 Six-Day War, and the 1973 Yom Kippur War. He was instrumental in forming Unit 101 and was often hailed as "the greatest field commander in our history" by Yitzhak Rabin.
What was Ariel Sharon's role in the Sabra and Shatila massacre?
As Minister of Defense during the 1982 Lebanon War, an official Israeli inquiry found Ariel Sharon bore "personal responsibility" for failing to prevent the massacre of Palestinian and Lebanese civilians by Lebanese Christian militias in the Sabra and Shatila refugee camps. This led to his removal as Defense Minister and earned him the epithet "Butcher of Beirut."
What was the Gaza Disengagement Plan?
The Gaza Disengagement Plan, orchestrated by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in 2004-2005, was Israel's unilateral withdrawal of all troops and settlements from the Gaza Strip. This highly contentious decision led him to leave the Likud party and form the centrist Kadima party.
What is Ariel Sharon's legacy in Israeli history?
Ariel Sharon's legacy is highly contested. Many Israelis remember him as a brilliant military strategist and a strong statesman who secured Israel's borders. However, Palestinians and many international observers view him as a war criminal who suppressed Palestinian aspirations for statehood, citing his role in the Sabra and Shatila massacre and his long-standing support for West Bank and Gaza Strip settlements.