Ariel Sharon

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Ariel Sharon was an Israeli politician and military leader who served as the 11th Prime Minister of Israel.

Who is Ariel Sharon

Ariel Sharon was an Israeli military leader and politician who served as the 11th Prime Minister of Israel from 2001 until 2006. Born on February 26, 1928, in Kfar Malal, Mandatory Palestine, he was involved with military and national politics for much of his life. Sharon was known for his bold tactics and controversial decisions both in the military and political arenas. During his military career, he earned a reputation for aggressive strategies and played a key role in several wars for Israel, including the 1948 War of Independence, the 1956 Suez Crisis, the Six-Day War in 1967, and particularly the Yom Kippur War in 1973. Sharon was one of the principal commanders in the Sinai Peninsula during the latter, helping to turn the tide in Israel's favor. After retiring from the military, Sharon entered politics, joining the right-wing Likud party. He held several ministerial positions before becoming the leader of the party. Among his pivotal actions as Prime Minister was the orchestration of Israel's unilateral disengagement from the Gaza Strip in 2005, a move that involved the evacuation of Israeli settlements and military bases from the territory. This decision was contentious and led to significant internal division within Israel, with Sharon facing both strong support and fierce opposition. His career was not without controversies, with perhaps the most significant being his role in the 1982 Lebanon War and the subsequent Sabra and Shatila massacre, in which Christian Lebanese militia allies of Israel killed Palestinian and Lebanese Shiite civilians. An Israeli inquiry found Sharon indirectly responsible, leading to his resignation as Defense Minister. Sharon suffered a severe stroke in January 2006 and remained in a long-term care facility until his death on January 11, 2014. His enduring legacies are his military accomplishments and the major impact he had on Israeli politics and policies regarding the Palestinian territories.

What were Ariel Sharon's main achievements as Prime Minister of Israel

Ariel Sharon served as the Prime Minister of Israel from 2001 to 2006. During his tenure, he was involved in several pivotal developments: 1. **Disengagement from Gaza**: Perhaps one of his most significant and controversial moves was the unilateral disengagement from the Gaza Strip in 2005. This involved the evacuation of all Israeli settlements in Gaza and four settlements in the northern West Bank, in an effort he claimed was meant to improve security and international standing of Israel. This move was seen as a dramatic shift for Sharon, who had been a longtime supporter of settlement building. 2. **Security and Counterterrorism**: Sharon's government took a tough stance on terrorism, particularly during the Second Intifada. Under his leadership, Israel launched Operation Defensive Shield in 2002. This military operation in the West Bank was aimed at stopping terrorist activities; it was one of the largest military operations in the area since the 1967 Six-Day War. 3. **Building the West Bank Barrier**: Sharon supported the construction of the West Bank barrier, arguing that it was necessary for the security of Israeli citizens. The barrier significantly reduced the number of terrorist attacks, although it was also criticized internationally and seen by Palestinians as an effort to annex land under the guise of security. 4. **Economic Reforms**: Sharon also implemented several economic changes, focusing on economic reforms and recovery, which included measures to improve the Israeli economy which at the time was suffering from a downturn. 5. **Political Landscape**: On the political front, Sharon was a founder of the Kadima party, which he established after breaking away from the Likud party. This was in response to opposition within Likud to his disengagement plan. Kadima went on to win the largest number of seats in the next scheduled parliamentary election, albeit one Sharon could not contest due to a stroke that incapacitated him in January 2006. These actions and policies reflect a complex and dynamic leadership period that had a lasting impact on Israel's path in terms of security, territorial and political dynamics.

How did Ariel Sharon impact Israeli-Palestinian relations

Ariel Sharon had a complex and significant impact on Israeli-Palestinian relations during his time as a military leader and later as a politician and Prime Minister of Israel. As a military leader, Sharon was known for his bold tactics and played a prominent role in several conflicts including the 1956 Suez Crisis, the Six-Day War in 1967, and especially the 1973 Yom Kippur War. His aggressive strategies and actions sometimes led to substantial Palestinian and Lebanese casualties, influencing perceptions and relationships between the Israelis and Palestinians. During his political career, particularly when he became Prime Minister in 2001, his policies and decisions continued to significantly influence the dynamics between Israelis and Palestinians. Early in his tenure, Sharon was perceived as a hardline leader with a strong stance against terrorism. He advocated for stringent security measures including military operations in Palestinian territories and was a primary proponent of the construction of the West Bank barrier, which was seen as a security necessity by Israelis and a symbol of oppression by Palestinians. However, in what was considered a surprising turn given his previous positions, Sharon initiated the unilateral disengagement from Gaza in 2005, wherein all Israeli settlements were evacuated, and military forces were withdrawn. This move was aimed at improving security and reducing friction between Israelis and Palestinians. The disengagement was seen by some as a step towards peace, although it also led to political turmoil within Israel and did not necessarily lead to lasting peace as rocket fire from Gaza into Israel continued. Overall, Sharon's impact on Israeli-Palestinian relations is viewed as multifaceted, involving military aggression and controversial policies, as well as bold steps towards altering the status quo, which still stir debate regarding their effectiveness and consequences.

What were Ariel Sharon's views on settlement expansions

Ariel Sharon was a strong proponent of Jewish settlement expansion in the occupied territories. Throughout his career, from his time as a military leader to his roles in government, including as Minister of Agriculture and eventually as Prime Minister, Sharon supported and facilitated the growth of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. As Minister of Agriculture in the late 1970s and early 1980s, Sharon was instrumental in establishing numerous new settlements. He believed that these settlements were essential for securing Israeli interests and maintaining control over strategic areas, particularly in the West Bank. His approach was often described as creating "facts on the ground" — implying that by establishing physical communities, Israel would solidify its claim to these areas. Even as Prime Minister, his policies initially supported the continuation of settlement activities. However, his stance appeared more nuanced as he also pursued some policies in line with peace efforts, including the disengagement from Gaza in 2005, where all Israeli settlements in the Gaza Strip were evacuated. This move showed a complex balancing act between his earlier pro-settlement stance and the evolving geopolitical and security realities facing Israel.

What was Ariel Sharon's role in the Lebanon War

Ariel Sharon played a significant role in the Lebanon War of 1982 during his tenure as Israel's Minister of Defense. He was a key architect of Israel's invasion of Lebanon, which was officially aimed at rooting out the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) that had been launching attacks against Israel from southern Lebanon. Sharon's plan envisioned a rapid, limited incursion into Lebanon to eradicate PLO bases. However, the operation, dubbed "Operation Peace for Galilee," quickly escalated into a full-scale invasion that reached as far as the capital, Beirut. Sharon's role in the expansion of the war's objectives has been a subject of considerable debate and controversy. His actions during the war, particularly the Israeli army's encirclement of Beirut and the indirect involvement in the Sabra and Shatila massacre, where Lebanese Christian militias killed Palestinian and Lebanese Shiites in refugee camps while Israeli forces surrounded the area, led to widespread criticism. Though Sharon was not found directly responsible for the massacre, an Israeli commission of inquiry (the Kahan Commission) found him indirectly responsible for not anticipating the possibility of violence and recommended his removal as Defense Minister. Thus, Sharon's involvement in the Lebanon War has been both pivotal and contentious, shaping his legacy and influencing his later political career.

What were Ariel Sharon's military strategies during the Yom Kippur War

During the Yom Kippur War of 1973, Ariel Sharon, who was a major general in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), played a significant and controversial role. His military strategies, particularly in the Egyptian theater of operations, were pivotal in the outcomes of several key battles. 1. **Counterattack at the Suez Canal**: Sharon led the 143rd Division, which was tasked with conducting operations against Egyptian forces that had crossed into the Sinai Peninsula. His strategy involved robust and aggressive counterattacks aimed at destabilizing the Egyptian advances. 2. **Crossing the Suez Canal**: One of Sharon's most audacious maneuvers was the decision to lead his forces across the Suez Canal. This move effectively caught the Egyptian army by surprise and established a bridgehead on the western side of the canal, known as the "Chinese Farm." This was instrumental in cutting off the supply lines of the Egyptian Third Army. 3. **Encirclement of the Egyptian Third Army**: After establishing a presence on the western side of the canal, Sharon's forces advanced southwards, aiming to encircle the Egyptian Third Army. This maneuver threatened the rear lines of the Egyptian forces, contributing significantly to the strategic imbalance and pressuring Egypt into a cease-fire and eventual negotiations. Sharon's strategies during the Yom Kippur War were marked by his characteristic boldness and willingness to take risks, which often led to significant military gains. However, his actions were sometimes seen as reckless and were a subject of considerable debate within the Israeli military and government. His initiative to cross the Suez Canal, though not initially approved by his higher-ups, was later recognized as a turning point in the war, demonstrating his impact on the overall military strategy during the conflict.

Why did Ariel Sharon visit the Temple Mount

Ariel Sharon visited the Temple Mount on September 28, 2000. This visit was contentious and is widely considered one of the sparks for the Second Intifada, a period of intensified Israeli-Palestinian violence. Sharon, then the leader of the opposition Likud party, stated that the purpose of his visit was to assert the right of all Israelis to visit the Temple Mount, which is a site of significant religious importance to both Jews and Muslims (where it is known as the Haram al-Sharif). Sharon's visit was seen by many Palestinians as a provocative assertion of Israeli sovereignty over the site in Jerusalem, which is a pivotal and deeply contested part of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The visit was met with protests by Palestinians, and it rapidly escalated into wider violence. Critics argue that Sharon must have been aware that his actions would provoke a strong response, given the sensitive nature of the location. Supporters might argue that his visit was an exercise in asserting Israeli rights and sovereignty, reflecting his longstanding commitment to a particular vision of Israeli nationalism. Regardless, the incident is pivotal in the history of the conflict, marking a significant deterioration in relations and a surge in violence.

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