RIP Ariel Sharon - You Saved Israel!

Ariel Sharon - Former PM of Israel (Independence UK)

Ariel Sharon will be remembered by both haters and admirers in different ways. Some will see him as the evil man who led Israel Defense Force to occupy Lebanon in the early 1950s, and will forever accused of slaughtering innocent civilians in the PLO camp in Lebanon. Others will see him as the Liberator of Israel and the protector of the Jewish people during its darkest hours. But believe what you may, he was a indeed a Gift to Israel and had served that country honorable till his passing.
But there's something in this man that worth mentioning in this piece as my closing remarks on the life of one of the most incredible leaders Israel ever produced since independence in 1949. His heroism and bravery, his political know-how, and his attitude toward the protection of Israel made him an exceptional leader. For those who lived through the horrors of the cold-war to this day, would thank Sharon for his courageous and outstanding career in the military and in public service. RIP!

The Soldier who Saved Israel

Arabs had one last chance to eradicate the state of Israel from the face of the earth - something they pledged to do since 1949. They threw everything at Israel from the day of its independence declaration. They also scrambled to facing an Israel preemptive strike in the 1967 - a war dubbed the '6 Day War'. After Israel calculated the risk of an Arab attack, the government decided to strike against Arabs first. IAF and IDF destroyed Jordan, Egypt and Syrian forces in one of the most talked about military strategies in the history of war. But in 1973, Israeli Forces never saw it coming - the obliteration of Israel was at hand. During the day of Yom Kippur - a scared day symbolizing the atonement when Jews repent and fast, the Egyptian and Syrians launched a massive campaign to wipe Israel off the earth. The Suez canal suddenly filled with floating bridges, and in matter of hours, Egyptian forces were on Israeli side of the river. Israeli soldiers had no choice but to surrender, others fought to the death. The march into Israel began and the future of this only Democratic state in the Middle East was in real danger of total annihilation by forces armed to the teeth by the Soviet Union. It is also worth mentioning that at that time, US had not armed Israel; most of their weapons were supplied by sources in Europe, especially Czechoslovakia. It was much later that the desperate plea from PM Golder Meir that the US supplies began pouring into Israel.

Sharon - the Mastermind
Responding to this surprised Egyptian invasion was commander Sharon. His strategy was one that resulted in so many IDF soldiers killed but one that may have won the war for Israel. Sharon decided, instead of retreating, to fight right into the heart of the Egyptian military, cross over to Egypt and swing left and right and surround the rest of the Egyptian army. The battle raged on and when the night faded, Sharon and his troop had crossed over and were on Egypt soil, surrounding Egyptian soldiers, cutting off supplies and kept Egyptian leaders from using heavy missiles against them. Sharon had successfully cut the throat of the Egyptian military, giving Israel forces time to focus on Syria. Soon, US and the Soviet brokered a peace treaty which ended the war. Israel survived a possible and real annihilation threat.
Such massive accomplishment is quickly swept under the table by those who detested Sharon and his style of leadership, whether in the battlefield or in the Knesset. And he will always be remembered by haters, but I think Sharon's  skills in battle was necessary saved the tate of Israel.
He served his country int he battlefield and as a politician. He was elected MP and Prime Minister. In all, he achieved so much for his country and Democracy in a region surrounded by dictators and totalitarians who have little regards to the rights. He in my opinion saved Israel.

Rest in Peace Ariel Sharon! 

Things we might not know
Sharon was a son of a Jewish Russian couple who relocated to Israel. He was born in the 1920s in Palestine; two decades before the state of Israel was declared.
Read his time line here....


Watch the documentary here ... the man leading the charge toward the attacking Egypt was none other than Sharon himself! RIP. Begins at 44:00.