Personal Reflections on Ariel Sharon
Feb 6 2007 It is Friday afternoon in Israel. It is a very sad Friday afternoon, as the whole country listens to news reports of Ariel Sharon being taken back into the operating room.
I am always surprised by the number of appropriate songs played on Israeli radio during times of national tragedies. This country is so seasoned at dealing with tough times.
I, however, as an immigrant to Israel, feel a bit less seasoned.
And I'd like to share my personal feelings about the loss of Ariel Sharon as the country's leader.
A Man to Trust
I slept better these past few years because Sharon was in charge. I didn?t really listen in detail to updates about Iran?s nuclear program because Sharon was in charge. The man radiated a sense of wisdom, courage, power and action. And we felt we could trust him to take care of us ? even as suicide bombers attacked and nuclear programs progressed in our midst.
?Few Israeli leaders have had the self confidence, composure or courage that Sharon displayed during his time as prime minister,? wrote Israeli journalist Nahum Barnea.
As a result of his magnetic leadership skills, the Israeli public gave him their full trust. While corruption charges seemed to constantly surround Sharon, the Israeli public chose to read the other news headlines. While Sharon never clearly communicated his vision and strategy, the Israeli public was willing to back his often inconsistent moves.
A Man of Action
Sharon imprisoned Yasser Arafat in the Muqata.
Sharon built Israel?s separation fence. And Sharon evacuated 25 settlements in the Gaza Strip and northern Samaria.
Sharon was elected Prime Minister in 2001, during the initial shock of the Palestinian intifada, primarily because Israelis needed a strong figure on whom they could rely. Even as hundreds of Israelis were killed in Palestinian terror attacks and as the economy threatened to collapse, Sharon was re-elected in 2003 in a sweeping victory.
His popularity was so high in 2005 that he was able to resign from the well-established Likud party and create a new, centrist party, Kadima (Forward). It was expected that in the March 2006 elections Sharon would be easily re-elected as Prime Minister, and his Kadima party would win over 40 of the 120 Knesset seats. Even after he suffered a minor stroke in early December 2005, he still seemed invincible. His 2006 victory was expected to be even greater than his two previous wins.
An Israeli Hero
What set Sharon apart from other politicians? Why were Israelis so willing to trust in him and almost blindly follow his actions?
Born in 1928 pre-state Israel, in Kfar Malal, Sharon has been with the country through all her struggles.
Sharon was Israel?s ?farmer-soldier.? Israelis love hearing the story of how he was given a knife as his bar mitzvah present (in 1940) so that he could protect himself from attacking Arabs when he was sent to guard the fields at night.
Sharon was a war hero. For over thirty years Sharon served in the Israeli Defense Forces. He joined the Haganah at the age of 14, and rose to the rank of IDF Major General. His courageous actions in the 1967 Six Day War and the 1973 Yom Kippur War earned his great respect.
Sharon viewed himself as David Ben Gurion?s successor. Sharon?s gruff, Israeli manner marked him as a member of the ?Israel Founders Club.? The Israeli public believed that as a member of this club, Sharon was motivated by national interests rather than personal gain. Thus, Sharon seemed to be more than just another politician. He was viewed by many Israelis as Saba Arik, a sort-of national grandfather.
A National Grandfather
Israelis today, myself included, feel a great loss. Even those who disagreed with his policies respected his strength and leadership abilities.
What other Israeli leader could have kept the country through the extremely difficult years of the second Intifada? What other Israeli leader could have built the security fence in the face of international pressure against it? What other Israeli leader could have managed the non-violent uprooting of Israeli settlements in the face of such great domestic opposition?
As Shabbat nears and Sharon?s condition deteriorates, Israelis are simultaneously praying for Sharon?s recovery and mourning the loss of one of Israel?s greatest leaders.
While it is clear that Sharon will not be able to return to political life, my hope this hour is for him to recover to the point where he will be able to enjoy his life and provide us with the guidance we need to face the future. Feb 6 2007 It is Friday afternoon in Israel. It is a very sad Friday afternoon, as the whole country listens to news reports of Ariel Sharon being taken back into the operating room.
I am always surprised by the number of appropriate songs played on Israeli radio during times of national tragedies. This country is so seasoned at dealing with tough times.
I, however, as an immigrant to Israel, feel a bit less seasoned. And I'd like to share my personal feelings about the loss of Ariel Sharon as the country's leader.
A Man to Trust
I slept better these past few years because Sharon was in charge. I didn?t really listen in detail to updates about Iran?s nuclear program because Sharon was in charge. The man radiated a sense of wisdom, courage, power and action. And we felt we could trust him to take care of us ? even as suicide bombers attacked and nuclear programs progressed in our midst.
?Few Israeli leaders have had the self confidence, composure or courage that Sharon displayed during his time as prime minister,? wrote Israeli journalist Nahum Barnea.
As a result of his magnetic leadership skills, the Israeli public gave him their full trust. While corruption charges seemed to constantly surround Sharon, the Israeli public chose to read the other news headlines. While Sharon never clearly communicated his vision and strategy, the Israeli public was willing to back his often inconsistent moves.
A Man of Action
Sharon imprisoned Yasser Arafat in the Muqata. Sharon built Israel?s separation fence. And Sharon evacuated 25 settlements in the Gaza Strip and northern Samaria.
Sharon was elected Prime Minister in 2001, during the initial shock of the Palestinian intifada, primarily because Israelis needed a strong figure on whom they could rely. Even as hundreds of Israelis were killed in Palestinian terror attacks and as the economy threatened to collapse, Sharon was re-elected in 2003 in a sweeping victory.
His popularity was so high in 2005 that he was able to resign from the well-established Likud party and create a new, centrist party, Kadima (Forward). It was expected that in the March 2006 elections Sharon would be easily re-elected as Prime Minister, and his Kadima party would win over 40 of the 120 Knesset seats. Even after he suffered a minor stroke in early December 2005, he still seemed invincible. His 2006 victory was expected to be even greater than his two previous wins.
An Israeli Hero
What set Sharon apart from other politicians? Why were Israelis so willing to trust in him and almost blindly follow his actions?
Born in 1928 pre-state Israel, in Kfar Malal, Sharon has been with the country through all her struggles.
Sharon was Israel?s ?farmer-soldier.? Israelis love hearing the story of how he was given a knife as his bar mitzvah present (in 1940) so that he could protect himself from attacking Arabs when he was sent to guard the fields at night.
Sharon was a war hero. For over thirty years Sharon served in the Israeli Defense Forces. He joined the Haganah at the age of 14, and rose to the rank of IDF Major General. His courageous actions in the 1967 Six Day War and the 1973 Yom Kippur War earned his great respect.
Sharon viewed himself as David Ben Gurion?s successor. Sharon?s gruff, Israeli manner marked him as a member of the ?Israel Founders Club.? The Israeli public believed that as a member of this club, Sharon was motivated by national interests rather than personal gain. Thus, Sharon seemed to be more than just another politician. He was viewed by many Israelis as Saba Arik, a sort-of national grandfather.
A National Grandfather
Israelis today, myself included, feel a great loss. Even those who disagreed with his policies respected his strength and leadership abilities.
What other Israeli leader could have kept the country through the extremely difficult years of the second Intifada? What other Israeli leader could have built the security fence in the face of international pressure against it? What other Israeli leader could have managed the non-violent uprooting of Israeli settlements in the face of such great domestic opposition?
As Shabbat nears and Sharon?s condition deteriorates, Israelis are simultaneously praying for Sharon?s recovery and mourning the loss of one of Israel?s greatest leaders.
While it is clear that Sharon will not be able to return to political life, my hope this hour is for him to recover to the point where he will be able to enjoy his life and provide us with the guidance we need to face the future.
I am always surprised by the number of appropriate songs played on Israeli radio during times of national tragedies. This country is so seasoned at dealing with tough times.
I, however, as an immigrant to Israel, feel a bit less seasoned.
And I'd like to share my personal feelings about the loss of Ariel Sharon as the country's leader.
A Man to Trust
I slept better these past few years because Sharon was in charge. I didn?t really listen in detail to updates about Iran?s nuclear program because Sharon was in charge. The man radiated a sense of wisdom, courage, power and action. And we felt we could trust him to take care of us ? even as suicide bombers attacked and nuclear programs progressed in our midst.
?Few Israeli leaders have had the self confidence, composure or courage that Sharon displayed during his time as prime minister,? wrote Israeli journalist Nahum Barnea.
As a result of his magnetic leadership skills, the Israeli public gave him their full trust. While corruption charges seemed to constantly surround Sharon, the Israeli public chose to read the other news headlines. While Sharon never clearly communicated his vision and strategy, the Israeli public was willing to back his often inconsistent moves.
A Man of Action
Sharon imprisoned Yasser Arafat in the Muqata.
Sharon built Israel?s separation fence. And Sharon evacuated 25 settlements in the Gaza Strip and northern Samaria.
Sharon was elected Prime Minister in 2001, during the initial shock of the Palestinian intifada, primarily because Israelis needed a strong figure on whom they could rely. Even as hundreds of Israelis were killed in Palestinian terror attacks and as the economy threatened to collapse, Sharon was re-elected in 2003 in a sweeping victory.
His popularity was so high in 2005 that he was able to resign from the well-established Likud party and create a new, centrist party, Kadima (Forward). It was expected that in the March 2006 elections Sharon would be easily re-elected as Prime Minister, and his Kadima party would win over 40 of the 120 Knesset seats. Even after he suffered a minor stroke in early December 2005, he still seemed invincible. His 2006 victory was expected to be even greater than his two previous wins.
An Israeli Hero
What set Sharon apart from other politicians? Why were Israelis so willing to trust in him and almost blindly follow his actions?
Born in 1928 pre-state Israel, in Kfar Malal, Sharon has been with the country through all her struggles.
Sharon was Israel?s ?farmer-soldier.? Israelis love hearing the story of how he was given a knife as his bar mitzvah present (in 1940) so that he could protect himself from attacking Arabs when he was sent to guard the fields at night.
Sharon was a war hero. For over thirty years Sharon served in the Israeli Defense Forces. He joined the Haganah at the age of 14, and rose to the rank of IDF Major General. His courageous actions in the 1967 Six Day War and the 1973 Yom Kippur War earned his great respect.
Sharon viewed himself as David Ben Gurion?s successor. Sharon?s gruff, Israeli manner marked him as a member of the ?Israel Founders Club.? The Israeli public believed that as a member of this club, Sharon was motivated by national interests rather than personal gain. Thus, Sharon seemed to be more than just another politician. He was viewed by many Israelis as Saba Arik, a sort-of national grandfather.
A National Grandfather
Israelis today, myself included, feel a great loss. Even those who disagreed with his policies respected his strength and leadership abilities.
What other Israeli leader could have kept the country through the extremely difficult years of the second Intifada? What other Israeli leader could have built the security fence in the face of international pressure against it? What other Israeli leader could have managed the non-violent uprooting of Israeli settlements in the face of such great domestic opposition?
As Shabbat nears and Sharon?s condition deteriorates, Israelis are simultaneously praying for Sharon?s recovery and mourning the loss of one of Israel?s greatest leaders.
While it is clear that Sharon will not be able to return to political life, my hope this hour is for him to recover to the point where he will be able to enjoy his life and provide us with the guidance we need to face the future. Feb 6 2007 It is Friday afternoon in Israel. It is a very sad Friday afternoon, as the whole country listens to news reports of Ariel Sharon being taken back into the operating room.
I am always surprised by the number of appropriate songs played on Israeli radio during times of national tragedies. This country is so seasoned at dealing with tough times.
I, however, as an immigrant to Israel, feel a bit less seasoned. And I'd like to share my personal feelings about the loss of Ariel Sharon as the country's leader.
A Man to Trust
I slept better these past few years because Sharon was in charge. I didn?t really listen in detail to updates about Iran?s nuclear program because Sharon was in charge. The man radiated a sense of wisdom, courage, power and action. And we felt we could trust him to take care of us ? even as suicide bombers attacked and nuclear programs progressed in our midst.
?Few Israeli leaders have had the self confidence, composure or courage that Sharon displayed during his time as prime minister,? wrote Israeli journalist Nahum Barnea.
As a result of his magnetic leadership skills, the Israeli public gave him their full trust. While corruption charges seemed to constantly surround Sharon, the Israeli public chose to read the other news headlines. While Sharon never clearly communicated his vision and strategy, the Israeli public was willing to back his often inconsistent moves.
A Man of Action
Sharon imprisoned Yasser Arafat in the Muqata. Sharon built Israel?s separation fence. And Sharon evacuated 25 settlements in the Gaza Strip and northern Samaria.
Sharon was elected Prime Minister in 2001, during the initial shock of the Palestinian intifada, primarily because Israelis needed a strong figure on whom they could rely. Even as hundreds of Israelis were killed in Palestinian terror attacks and as the economy threatened to collapse, Sharon was re-elected in 2003 in a sweeping victory.
His popularity was so high in 2005 that he was able to resign from the well-established Likud party and create a new, centrist party, Kadima (Forward). It was expected that in the March 2006 elections Sharon would be easily re-elected as Prime Minister, and his Kadima party would win over 40 of the 120 Knesset seats. Even after he suffered a minor stroke in early December 2005, he still seemed invincible. His 2006 victory was expected to be even greater than his two previous wins.
An Israeli Hero
What set Sharon apart from other politicians? Why were Israelis so willing to trust in him and almost blindly follow his actions?
Born in 1928 pre-state Israel, in Kfar Malal, Sharon has been with the country through all her struggles.
Sharon was Israel?s ?farmer-soldier.? Israelis love hearing the story of how he was given a knife as his bar mitzvah present (in 1940) so that he could protect himself from attacking Arabs when he was sent to guard the fields at night.
Sharon was a war hero. For over thirty years Sharon served in the Israeli Defense Forces. He joined the Haganah at the age of 14, and rose to the rank of IDF Major General. His courageous actions in the 1967 Six Day War and the 1973 Yom Kippur War earned his great respect.
Sharon viewed himself as David Ben Gurion?s successor. Sharon?s gruff, Israeli manner marked him as a member of the ?Israel Founders Club.? The Israeli public believed that as a member of this club, Sharon was motivated by national interests rather than personal gain. Thus, Sharon seemed to be more than just another politician. He was viewed by many Israelis as Saba Arik, a sort-of national grandfather.
A National Grandfather
Israelis today, myself included, feel a great loss. Even those who disagreed with his policies respected his strength and leadership abilities.
What other Israeli leader could have kept the country through the extremely difficult years of the second Intifada? What other Israeli leader could have built the security fence in the face of international pressure against it? What other Israeli leader could have managed the non-violent uprooting of Israeli settlements in the face of such great domestic opposition?
As Shabbat nears and Sharon?s condition deteriorates, Israelis are simultaneously praying for Sharon?s recovery and mourning the loss of one of Israel?s greatest leaders.
While it is clear that Sharon will not be able to return to political life, my hope this hour is for him to recover to the point where he will be able to enjoy his life and provide us with the guidance we need to face the future.
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