Deaths on January 11

Ariel Sharon, Israeli general and politician, 11th Prime Minister of Israel (b. 1928)

Ariel Sharon (Hebrew: אֲרִיאֵל שָׁרוֹן; IPA: [aʁiˈ(ʔ)el ʃaˈʁon], also known by his affectionate diminutive Arik, אָרִיק‎), born Ariel Scheinermann (אֲרִיאֵל שַׁיינֶרְמָן‎), was a profoundly influential and often controversial Israeli figure. Born on February 26, 1928, he dedicated much of his life to public service, first as a decorated military general and later as a dominant force in Israeli politics, culminating in his tenure as the 11th Prime Minister of Israel from March 2001 until April 2006. His remarkable career, marked by both strategic brilliance and significant controversy, shaped the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East until his death on January 11, 2014.

Early Life and Formative Military Career

Sharon's military journey began at the very inception of the State of Israel. He joined the Israeli Army upon its creation in 1948 and quickly rose through the ranks, demonstrating exceptional leadership and tactical acumen. During the pivotal 1948 Palestine War, also known as Israel's War of Independence, Sharon served as a platoon commander in the Alexandroni Brigade, participating in numerous critical engagements, including Operation Bin Nun Alef. His early experiences forged his reputation as a fearless and effective field commander.

His military career was defined by his instrumental role in several key conflicts and the establishment of elite units:

• Unit 101 and Reprisal Operations: In 1953, Sharon was a central figure in the creation of Unit 101, a special forces commando unit tasked with retaliatory raids in response to fedayeen infiltrations and attacks on Israeli civilians. These "reprisal operations," while often effective in deterring further attacks, also drew international criticism due to civilian casualties, notably the Qibya massacre.
• 1956 Suez Crisis (Operation Kadesh): As commander of a paratrooper brigade, Sharon played a significant role in the Sinai campaign, particularly in the battle for the Mitla Pass, an engagement that showcased his aggressive and decisive command style.
• Six-Day War (1967): Leading an armored division, Sharon achieved a decisive victory at the Battle of Abu-Ageila in the Sinai, further cementing his reputation as a military strategist.
• War of Attrition: He continued to serve with distinction during the low-intensity conflict following the Six-Day War.
• Yom Kippur War (1973): This conflict proved to be Sharon's military zenith. As a reserve general commanding an armored division, he orchestrated a daring and strategically crucial crossing of the Suez Canal, encircling the Egyptian Third Army. This bold maneuver is widely credited with turning the tide of the war in Israel's favor and became a defining moment in his legacy.

His unparalleled battlefield prowess earned him immense respect within the military establishment. Indeed, Yitzhak Rabin, himself a distinguished general and future Prime Minister, famously lauded Sharon as "the greatest field commander in our history," a testament to his tactical genius and leadership under fire.

From Commander to Controversial Politician: The Lebanon War and Its Aftermath

Following his distinguished military career, Ariel Sharon transitioned into politics. He joined the Likud party, a major right-wing political party in Israel, and served in various ministerial roles in Likud-led governments between 1977–92 and 1996–99. These posts, including Minister of Agriculture, Housing and Construction, and Infrastructure, significantly influenced his later policies, particularly concerning Israeli settlement expansion.

His tenure as Minister of Defense marked a period of intense controversy. He directed the 1982 Lebanon War, launched with the stated aim of eradicating Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) strongholds in Lebanon and securing Israel's northern border. However, the war expanded far beyond its initial objectives, reaching Beirut and embroiling Israel in the complex Lebanese civil conflict.

The war's most enduring stain was the Sabra and Shatila massacre in September 1982. This horrific event saw hundreds, possibly thousands, of Palestinian and Lebanese civilians killed by the Lebanese Phalangist militia within refugee camps in Beirut. Although the massacre was carried out by the Phalangists, an official Israeli commission of inquiry, known as the Kahan Commission, investigated the Israeli military's role. The commission concluded that Sharon bore "personal responsibility" for not foreseeing and preventing the atrocity, given the Israeli military's control over the areas surrounding the camps. This finding led to the commission's recommendation that he be removed from his post as Defense Minister. The international outcry and his perceived complicity in the massacre led to him being widely known as the "Butcher of Beirut" among Arabs, a deeply pejorative moniker that reflected the profound animosity and pain associated with his actions during this period.

The Architect of Settlements and His Ascent to Prime Minister

Throughout the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, Ariel Sharon was a staunch advocate and instrumental figure in the construction and expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, territories captured by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War. As Minister of Agriculture and then Minister of Housing and Construction, he actively championed and implemented policies that facilitated the growth of these communities, often earning him the title "father of the settlements." This policy was and remains a major point of contention in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with international law largely viewing these settlements as illegal.

After a period of political marginalization, Sharon made a remarkable comeback, becoming the leader of the Likud party in 2000. He successfully capitalized on public disillusionment with the peace process and heightened security concerns during the escalating Al-Aqsa Intifada (Second Intifada). Following a politically charged visit to the Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif in September 2000, which many Palestinians viewed as a provocation, and amidst a surge of violence and suicide bombings, Sharon defeated Ehud Barak in the 2001 prime ministerial election. He served as Prime Minister of Israel from 2001 to 2006, leading the country through one of its most challenging security periods.

The Disengagement and the Rise of Kadima: A Political Earthquake

As Prime Minister during the height of the Al-Aqsa Intifada, Sharon adopted a firm security stance, including reoccupying Palestinian areas and building the Israeli West Bank barrier. However, in a stunning and unexpected shift, he orchestrated Israel's unilateral disengagement from the Gaza Strip between 2004 and 2005. This policy involved the complete removal of all Israeli settlements and military presence from Gaza, a territory Israel had occupied since 1967. For a leader long associated with settlement expansion, this move represented a dramatic ideological pivot, driven by demographic concerns and the belief that maintaining control over Gaza was an untenable security and economic burden.

The unilateral disengagement faced intense opposition from within his own Likud party, many of whom viewed it as a betrayal of core Zionist principles and a dangerous precedent. Unable to govern effectively amidst the internal dissent, Sharon made a monumental decision in November 2005: he left Likud to form a new centrist political party, Kadima (Hebrew for "Forward"). This move fundamentally reshaped Israeli politics, drawing support from both disillusioned Likud members and elements of the Labor party.

Kadima, under Sharon's leadership, was expected to win the upcoming elections convincingly. There was widespread speculation that Sharon, having successfully implemented the Gaza disengagement, was planning a series of further unilateral withdrawals from parts of the West Bank, often referred to as a "convergence plan" or "realignment plan," aiming to establish more defensible and demographically viable borders for Israel. This potential shift indicated a pragmatic approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, moving away from the ideological right-wing stances he had long embodied.

Final Years and Enduring Legacy

Ariel Sharon's transformative political career was abruptly halted on January 4, 2006, when he suffered a severe hemorrhagic stroke. He fell into a permanent vegetative state from which he never recovered, remaining comatose for eight years until his death on January 11, 2014.

Sharon remains one of the most complex and polarizing figures in modern Middle East history. His legacy is viewed through starkly contrasting lenses:

• Among Israelis: He is largely revered as a formidable war hero, a brilliant military strategist who ensured Israel's survival and defined its borders, and a decisive statesman who, despite his hawkish past, demonstrated the courage to make bold and unpopular decisions for the perceived future security of the state. Many consider him a pragmatic leader who, in his final years, recognized the evolving realities of the region.
• Among Palestinians and many Arabs: He is reviled as an unrepentant war criminal, a symbol of Israeli occupation and aggression, the architect of settlements that fragmented their land, and a figure directly responsible for immense suffering and the suppression of their aspirations for nationhood. The "Butcher of Beirut" moniker endures as a powerful symbol of their grievances.

Ariel Sharon's life story encapsulates the tumultuous history of Israel itself, embodying the nation's struggles, its military prowess, its political divisions, and the deeply entrenched conflicts that continue to define the region.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ariel Sharon

What was Ariel Sharon's significance in the creation of Israel and its early conflicts?

Ariel Sharon was a foundational figure in the Israeli Army from its establishment in 1948. He served as a platoon commander in the 1948 War of Independence, quickly rising through the ranks. He was instrumental in forming Unit 101 for reprisal operations and played pivotal roles as a commander in the 1956 Suez Crisis, the 1967 Six-Day War, and most notably, the 1973 Yom Kippur War, where his daring Suez Canal crossing was a turning point.

Why is Ariel Sharon considered a polarizing figure?

Ariel Sharon is deeply polarizing due to his multifaceted and controversial career. Israelis widely view him as a national hero, a brilliant military commander, and a statesman who made tough but necessary decisions for the country's security, including the Gaza disengagement. Conversely, Palestinians and many Arabs condemn him as a war criminal, holding him accountable for actions during the 1982 Lebanon War, particularly the Sabra and Shatila massacre, and for his aggressive promotion of Israeli settlements in occupied territories.

What was the "Gaza Disengagement" orchestrated by Ariel Sharon as Prime Minister?

The "Gaza Disengagement" was a major policy initiative orchestrated by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon between 2004 and 2005. It involved the unilateral withdrawal of all Israeli military forces and the dismantling of all Israeli settlements from the Gaza Strip. This move was highly controversial, particularly within his own Likud party, as Sharon had historically been a staunch proponent of settlements. His rationale for the disengagement included demographic concerns and the belief that holding onto Gaza was no longer strategically viable for Israel.