Spring Break
Sharon has the chance to achieve 'bigger goals'
By: David Shoemaker
Issue date: 11/8/04 Section: Opinion
The Middle East is a place where the only constant is conflict. Men have built entire political careers upon it, either by prolonging it or by trying to end it. One of the most enduring characters in the topsy-turvy environment is Ariel Sharon, the Prime Minister of Israel. But, even Sharon can drastically change long-standing positions to achieve a bigger goal.
For his entire life, Sharon has sought to establish Israeli domination over the surrounding territory, usually through armed force. As a general in 1967, he captured Jerusalem and, in 1982 as defense minister, he almost single-handedly invaded Lebanon in an effort to drive the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and Yasser Arafat out of the country.
These actions and others earned him the hatred of many, and almost ended his political career and aspirations to be prime minister. But, through persistence, luck and a controversial visit to East Jerusalem that played part in the renewal of the Intifada, he secured prime minister in 2001.
After his rise to power, Sharon stuck to his old ways, doing whatever it took to protect Israel. And recently, those means have included a wall to separate Israel from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. The wall cuts off the settlements that have been built in the Occupied Territories over the last 37 years, the construction of which have been a cornerstone of the Likud party's policy since the first ones were built.
This presents a challenge in leadership for Sharon. His political base demands continued construction and support of the settlements, but to do so would conflict with the goal of using the wall to keep suicide bombers out of Israeli territory. To cut off the settlements would go against over 30 years of policy, and would be extremely unpopular with the conservative Likud party, which is Sharon's political base.
Sharon has chosen to do the unthinkable by choosing to alienate a large part of his base for the long-term future of Israel. He has pushed to fully withdraw all settlers and troops from the Gaza Strip, sparking controversy within his own party over the matter. Sharon has made the choice to push the matter in the Gaza Strip.
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