Ariel Sharon

Ariel Sharon (February 26, 1928 – January 11, 2014) was an Israeli military officer and politician who served as the 11th Prime Minister of Israel from March 2001 to April 2006. Born in the Kfar Malal kibbutz, Sharon rose through the ranks of the Israeli Defense Forces to become one of the country's most celebrated—and controversial—military commanders. His military career included controversial operations in the 1982 Lebanon War, particularly his role in the Sabra and Shatila refugee camp massacre, for which he faced international criticism and legal challenges. As a right-wing politician, Sharon served in various ministerial positions before becoming Prime Minister during the Second Intifada. His tenure as Prime Minister was marked by aggressive security policies, military operations against Palestinian militants, and the 2005 Gaza disengagement plan, which withdrew Israeli forces and settlers from Gaza—a decision that was controversial even among his political allies. Sharon's leadership style was characterized by decisiveness and a hardline security approach. In 2006, he suffered a massive stroke that left him in a vegetative state for the remainder of his life. Sharon remains one of the most polarizing figures in Israeli and Middle Eastern history, viewed by supporters as a strong defender of Israel and by critics as a controversial military and political leader. His presidency shaped Israeli policy and Middle East geopolitics during a critical period.