🇮🇱 Ariel Sharon (1928–2014)
⬅️ People, Groups & Places (MOC) · Related: Gaza · Occupation · Settlements · Blockade in Gaza
Why he matters
The hard-line general and settlement champion who, as PM, unilaterally withdrew every soldier and settler from Gaza in 2005 — and got rockets, not peace, in return. That outcome is the backbone of the "Israel left Gaza" rebuttal.
Key Facts
- Storied (and controversial) military career; long the patron of the settlement movement.
- PM 2001–2006.
- 2005 Gaza Disengagement: removed all ~8,000 settlers and every soldier from Gaza — a wrenching move against his own base. → Gaza · Settlements
- Founded the centrist Kadima party; incapacitated by a stroke in 2006.
Debate Relevance
- “End the occupation and you’ll get peace” → Sharon did end it in Gaza; the result was Hamas and rockets. → Occupation · Blockade in Gaza
- Shows Israel will trade land for a chance at peace — and that the chance depends on the other side. → Peace Offers