Ariel Sharon

Date of Birth: February 26, 1928

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Date of Death: January 11, 2014

Biography

Ariel Sharon, born Ariel Scheinerman, was an influential Israeli military leader and politician who played a pivotal role in shaping the modern state of Israel. He was born on February 26, 1928, in Kfar Malal, a moshav in Mandatory Palestine. Sharon’s contributions to Israel spanned over six decades, from his military service to his tenure as Prime Minister. Sharon joined the Haganah, the underground Jewish defense force, at a young age and later became a prominent officer in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). He gained a reputation for his bold tactics and strategic brilliance during the 1948 War of Independence and subsequent conflicts, including the Six-Day War (1967) and the Yom Kippur War (1973). His military career culminated in his appointment as Major General. Transitioning to politics, Sharon held various ministerial roles, including Minister of Defense, Agriculture, and Foreign Affairs. His tenure as Defense Minister was marked by controversy due to his role in the 1982 Lebanon War and the Sabra and Shatila massacre. Despite this, Sharon remained a resilient political figure, ultimately founding the Kadima party in 2005 after leaving the Likud party. Ariel Sharon served as Israel’s 11th Prime Minister from 2001 until he suffered a debilitating stroke in 2006, which left him in a coma for eight years. He passed away on January 11, 2014. Sharon’s legacy is a complex tapestry of military achievements, political controversies, and significant contributions to Israel’s security and political landscape.

5 Interesting Facts about Ariel Sharon

1. Ariel Sharon was nicknamed “The Bulldozer” for his aggressive and determined approach both in military operations and political endeavors.

2. He played a key role in the construction of the Israeli West Bank barrier, a highly controversial security measure aimed at preventing terrorist attacks.

3. Sharon orchestrated the unilateral disengagement from the Gaza Strip in 2005, a move that involved evacuating Israeli settlers and military forces from the area.

4. He was the founder of the Kadima party, a centrist political party in Israel.

5. Ariel Sharon’s stroke in 2006 left him in a vegetative state for eight years, until his death in 2014.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Ariel Sharon

1. “Israel may have the right to put others on trial, but certainly no one has the right to put the Jewish people and the State of Israel on trial.”

2. “You cannot like the word ‘peace,’ but you have to make peace.”

3. “The strength of the Jewish people is not in the size of the country, but in the people themselves.”

4. “The fate of Jerusalem is not just a matter of importance to Israel, but to the entire Jewish people.”

5. “We must always remember that Israel is the only place in the world where Jews have the right and the power to defend themselves.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Ariel Sharon’s highest net worth was estimated to be around $20 million at the peak of his career.

Children

Ariel Sharon had three children: 1. Gur Sharon – who tragically died in a gun accident in 1967. 2. Omri Sharon – a former member of the Knesset and a political figure. 3. Gilad Sharon – an author and businessman.