Israel - Leadership

Considered a right-wing "hawk," Ariel Sharon has been described as the most-loved and most-hated figure in Israel. He is certainly hated by the Arabs, many of whom describe him as an extremist warmonger capable only of increasing the polarization between Israelis and Arabs. He makes no secret of his top priority—total security for Israel, along with maximum land and political rights. As a leader he finds himself in the center of the most hostile conflicts with the Palestinians for decades, one defined by massive application of the IDF on one side against the guerrilla forces and relentless suicide bombers on the other. His personal actions have contributed to at least two serious Palestinian uprisings. In the first instance, he moved into an apartment in the Muslim part of East Jerusalem in 1986, triggering an intifada (religious uprising). And his 28 September 2000 visit to the al-Aqsa mosque was widely credited with triggering a second intifada; he made the controversial visit to the East Jerusalem site despite dire warnings that his action would infuriate the Palestinians.

Sharon insists that his "aim is to achieve a comprehensive peace with the Palestinians, to ensure a quiet and peaceful life for both our peoples." He sees this goal unfolding by stages, the first being a cessation of warfare followed by a complete demilitarization of the Palestinian zone. The second stage is the final determination of the two countries' borders. His critics, however, including those among Israel's Western allies, see his responses to situations as impulsive, unplanned, and militaristic. His reliance on Israel's military, while popular among the Israeli electorate, has failed to bring security to a civilian population under constant threat from Palestinian terrorists. In short, there are many voices on all sides questioning Sharon's political judgment and his ability to survive in the country's top position.

Sharon's 2003 election campaign was plagued by scandal. Sharon's two sons had received a US $1.5 million loan from a South Africa-based businessman, a long-time family friend, to be used as collateral in helping Sharon repay what Israeli authorities deemed to be an improper foreign contribution to his 1999 campaign to be elected as leader of Likud. Israeli law prohibits political funding from foreign sources. Sharon claimed he didn't know exactly where the money came from, and that the scandal was part of a conspiracy against him.