The Ariel Sharon Enigma

“Legacy” is a rather lofty word when referring to Ariel Sharon’s policies. Perhaps it would be better to use the term “direction”. Ariel Sharon’s policies or direction is rather contradictory. A feeling of indifference to Ariel Sharon is impossible. One either supports him or opposes him. One can oppose him in the past and support him in the present or vice versa.

He does invoke strong feelings one way or the other.

Sharon’s enemies see him as a warmonger or murderer. His supporters see him as a hero and true patriot. He had made many mistakes in the past as in the Lebanon War of 1982, including the indirect responsibility for the Sabra and Shatilla massacre in the refugee camps around Beirut. However, he has redeemed himself in the eyes of many world leaders with his bold decisions on unilateral disengagement from Gaza.

History will judge him in a mixed way – a hero to some and an implacable enemy to others. He is a man of determination and guts carrying out his decisions despite opposition even if it means uprooting Jewish settlements beyond the green line. He had made an about turn in his ideology of settlements beyond the green line when he felt that it was an obstacle to unilateral disengagement from the Palestinians. Peace with the Palestinians in his view was not an option, but unilateral disengagement is. The future will tell whether his successor will move in Sharon's direction, assuming the Kadima Party wins in the upcoming general election.