History of Ariel Sharon

Ariel Sharon, born Ariel Scheinermann on February 26, 1928, in Kfar Malal, British Mandate of Palestine, was a complex and influential Israeli military leader and politician. His multifaceted career spanned over five decades, characterized by his fierce military acumen and controversial political decisions that left a lasting imprint on Israeli history.

Sharon's early life was shaped by the tumultuous environment of the Yishuv, the Jewish community in Palestine. His parents, Russian immigrants, instilled in him a deep connection to the land and the Zionist cause. At the age of 14, Sharon joined the Haganah, the underground military organization of the Jewish community, laying the foundation for his future military career.

During the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, Sharon commanded an infantry company and was wounded in action. His leadership skills caught the attention of his superiors, and he quickly rose through the military ranks. In the ensuing years, Sharon became a key architect of Israel's military doctrine, particularly during his command of Unit 101, an elite commando force established in 1953. The unit became known for its retaliatory raids against Palestinian fedayeen attacks, marking the beginning of Sharon's reputation as a bold, albeit ruthless, military strategist.

Sharon's military career reached its pinnacle during the Six-Day War in 1967 and the Yom Kippur War in 1973. In the latter, his daring crossing of the Suez Canal was a turning point that contributed significantly to the Israeli success. His audacious battlefield tactics earned him the moniker "The Bulldozer," reflecting both his military prowess and uncompromising style.

Transitioning to politics, Sharon joined the Likud party in the early 1970s, seeing in politics a new arena to shape Israel's destiny. He was elected to the Knesset in 1973, although he shortly returned to military duty during the Yom Kippur War. Returning to politics afterward, Sharon became an influential figure within Likud, advocating for Jewish settlement in the occupied territories, which he saw as vital for Israel's security and identity.

As Minister of Agriculture from 1977 to 1981 under Prime Minister Menachem Begin, Sharon aggressively pushed for the expansion of settlements in the West Bank and Gaza, a policy that drew both domestic support and international criticism. His settlement policies laid the groundwork for issues that continue to reverberate in Israeli-Palestinian relations.

Sharon's tenure as Minister of Defense (1981-1983) was marked by the controversial 1982 Lebanon War. The Israeli invasion aimed to expel the PLO from Lebanon, but the operation extended into an occupation that led to widespread Lebanese and international condemnation. The Sabra and Shatila massacre, perpetrated by Lebanese Christian militias allied with Israel, occurred under Sharon's watch, and the Kahan Commission found him indirectly responsible for not preventing the bloodshed. The fallout forced Sharon to resign as Defense Minister, although his political career was far from over.

Over the next decade, Sharon held various ministerial roles, consolidating his influence within the Likud party. Despite his polarizing public image, Sharon's political resilience was remarkable, and by 1999 he ascended to party leadership, following Benjamin Netanyahu's loss in the national elections.

As leader of Likud, Sharon capitalized on the public's increasing disillusionment with the peace process following the Second Intifada's outbreak in 2000. His controversial visit to the Temple Mount, a site sacred to both Jews and Muslims, was a catalyst for the violence, though opinions vary on his intent.

In 2001, Sharon was elected Prime Minister, largely on a platform of security and strength in the face of ongoing Palestinian violence. His leadership style as Prime Minister mirrored his military career — decisive, unyielding, and sometimes unilateral. Initially, Sharon pursued a hardline approach against Palestinian militancy, but his strategic calculus evolved as he gradually recognized the futility of military solutions alone.

In a dramatic shift, Sharon executed the 2005 Gaza Disengagement Plan, unilaterally withdrawing Israeli settlers and troops from the Gaza Strip. This controversial decision split Likud, prompting Sharon to form the centrist Kadima party which advocated for pragmatic approaches to peace and security issues.

The disengagement marked a significant about-turn in Sharon's legacy, viewed by some as a pragmatic step toward peace and by others as a betrayal. Nonetheless, it demonstrated his unique ability to adapt and pursue bold strategies, even at the cost of political capital.

Tragically, Sharon's transformative vision was never fully realized. In January 2006, a massive stroke incapacitated him, ending his political career. He remained in a coma until his death on January 11, 2014.

Ariel Sharon's legacy as a politician is emblematic of Israel's broader historical struggles—marked by bold, sometimes contentious decisions and a tenacity borne out of conflict. His career encapsulated the tensions of a nation seeking security and identity amidst a fraught regional landscape, leaving a complex, enduring legacy in Israeli and Middle Eastern politics.