Ariel Sharon
Who was Ariel Sharon?
Israeli general and Prime Minister (2001–2006) known for his military career and the controversial withdrawal of Israeli settlements from Gaza in 2005. His career ended when he fell into a coma in 2006.
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Ariel Sharon (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Ariel Sharon (1928-2014) was an Israeli general and politician who was Prime Minister of Israel from 2001 to 2006. Born in Kfar Malal in Mandatory Palestine to Russian Jewish immigrants, Sharon was one of Israel's most controversial and influential military and political figures. He took part in nearly every major Israeli military conflict from the country's independence through the 1970s. He was recognized as an exceptional field commander but also faced criticism for his aggressive tactics.
Sharon's military career started during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, where he was a platoon commander in the Alexandroni Brigade. He helped establish Unit 101, Israel's special forces unit for reprisal operations against Arab targets in the 1950s. His involvement in the 1953 Qibya operation, which resulted in civilian casualties, began his controversial reputation. He stood out as a bold and effective military leader during the 1956 Suez Crisis, Six-Day War, War of Attrition, and Yom Kippur War, especially noted for crossing the Suez Canal in 1973.
In the 1970s, Sharon moved into politics, joining the Likud party and holding various ministerial roles. As Defense Minister, he led the 1982 Lebanon War, but an official inquiry later held him personally responsible for not preventing the Sabra and Shatila massacre, leading to his removal from the defense position. Throughout the 1970s and 1990s, Sharon strongly supported Israeli settlement expansion in the occupied territories.
Sharon became Likud leader in 1999 and won the 2001 prime ministerial election after his controversial visit to the Temple Mount, which many say triggered the Second Intifada. As Prime Minister, he implemented major security measures including building the West Bank barrier and, in a surprising policy change, led Israel's withdrawal from Gaza in 2005. This decision caused deep splits within his party, prompting him to form a new centrist party, Kadima, in late 2005. His political career ended suddenly in January 2006 when he suffered a massive stroke, leaving him in a coma until his death in 2014.
Before Fame
Ariel Sharon was born to Samuel and Vera Sharon in Kfar Malal, a small farming community. He grew up in a Zionist family focused on self-reliance and building the Jewish homeland. His parents were part of the Second Aliyah wave, which gave him a strong connection to the land and farming. Sharon's early life was marked by the challenges and conflicts in Mandatory Palestine, where Jewish communities dealt with British rules and Arab opposition to Zionist settlement.
Sharon started to gain recognition during his teens when he joined the Hagana, a Jewish paramilitary group, at 14. He studied agriculture and law at Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv University, but found his true passion in military service. His leadership and innovative tactics distinguished him during the period surrounding Israel's independence.
Key Achievements
- Led the successful crossing of the Suez Canal during the 1973 Yom Kippur War, turning the tide of the conflict
- Served as Israel's Prime Minister from 2001-2006 during the Second Intifada period
- Orchestrated Israel's unilateral disengagement from Gaza in 2005, removing all Israeli settlements and military presence
- Founded and led the Kadima party in 2005, creating a new centrist political movement
- Constructed the West Bank security barrier, significantly reducing terrorist attacks on Israeli civilians
Did You Know?
- 01.Sharon was nicknamed 'Arik' and was known for his substantial physical presence, earning the moniker 'The Bulldozer' for both his build and political approach
- 02.He owned a ranch in the Negev Desert where he raised sheep and cattle, maintaining his connection to agriculture throughout his political career
- 03.Sharon survived multiple assassination attempts throughout his career, including a 1982 incident where a grenade was thrown at him during a political rally
- 04.He was awarded an honorary doctorate from Bar-Ilan University in recognition of his contributions to Israeli society
- 05.Sharon's coma lasted exactly eight years from January 2006 until his death in January 2014, making it one of the longest documented cases of its kind for a major political figure
Family & Personal Life
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| honorary doctor of the Bar-Ilan University | — | — |