Sharon, Ariel (1928–)

Ariel (“Arik”) Sharon is a former prime minister of Israel and a high-ranked general in the IDF (Israeli army). Although he is one of the most controversial public figures in Israel, his long-term, wide-range influence on the formation and history of the state is beyond doubt.

Sharon was born in Israel as Ariel Scheinermann. In 1942, at the age of 14, he joined the Hagana (a paramilitary Zionist organization). During the 1948 War of Independence, Sharon was already an active commander, and in 1953, he founded and led the “101” special antiterror unit. During the Six Day War Sharon commanded an armored division, and as major general he commanded another armored division during the 1973 Yom Kippur War. Holding this position, Sharon led the crossing of ...