20 Quotes & Sayings By Ariel Sharon

Ariel Sharon was born in 1928 in Kfar Malal, Israel. He joined the Palmach, an elite fighting force of the Haganah, in 1945. After serving in the military, he studied at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and received a law degree in 1951. He fought alongside his fellow Palmach fighters against British troops in the 1948 war and then served as Israel's ambassador to Syria between 1956 and 1959 Read more

In 1964, Sharon was elected to the Knesset. In 1973, he was elected prime minister of Israel and later that year led Israel into its historic victory in the Yom Kippur War. In 1977, he became defense minister at age 49 and during his time as defense minister also led Israel's successful attack on Egypt in 1973 while holding a political ministerial position.

In 1981 Sharon defeated Labor leader Shimon Peres to become prime minister. The next year he led Israel's invasion of Lebanon and won a decisive victory there. In 1983 Sharon defeated Labor leader Shimon Peres to become prime minister a second time.

After a number of years as prime minister, Sharon resigned from office in order to become chairman of the Likud party, but he returned to lead Likud into the elections again in 1996 only to lose once more. In 2001 Sharon became prime minister for a third time after having been voted back into office by Likud members who felt that Ariel Sharon was still the best candidate to lead them into war with Iraq. His efforts did not succeed and he left office again in 2003 after losing a bloody election campaign against Ehud Barak.

The Israeli press referred to him as "the man who was not a man."

1
I cannot say that the attitude of the United Nations always is for the Israeli attitude. Israel, I think, has been under severe attacks by members of the United Nations many times. Ariel Sharon
2
To our Palestinian neighbours, I assure you that we have a genuine intention to respect your right to live independently and in dignity. I have already said that Israel has no desire to continue to govern over you and control your fate. Ariel Sharon
3
A day will come when other Israelis will be launched into space in the service of science and progress. For them and for us, Ilan Ramon will always be a source of inspiration as Israel's space pioneer, and his memory will be engraved in our hearts forever. Ariel Sharon
4
There is a famous saying: 'It's hard to be a Jew.' It's also hard to be a Palestinian. I know that. Ariel Sharon
5
I was born on a farm. My strength has nothing to do with political apparatus. I get my strength from nature, from flowers. Ariel Sharon
6
The strength that I have comes from irrigating the citrus plantation, ploughing in the vineyard, guarding the melon fields at night. I believe that's what gave me the strength. Ariel Sharon
7
My strength never came from political echelons, it came from the family. And from the fields and the lands and the flowers and everything I see there. My strength came from there. Ariel Sharon
8
You don't have to be a scared person. I've had so many tragedies. I've managed to withstand things that you may think you cannot tolerate. But I have the strength. Ariel Sharon
9
The government, under my leadership, will act to implement the rule of law and to maintain the independence of the judicial system, which is one of the pillars of maintaining a democratic system. Ariel Sharon
10
I do know that Syria never will recognize Lebanon as an independent country, and the declaration of independence of Lebanon took place in 1943. Syria never - Syria never have recognized Lebanon. They regard Lebanon as part of Syria. Ariel Sharon
11
Myself, first of all, I am a Jew. And that is the most important thing for me. Ariel Sharon
12
David Ben-Gurion understood that the public's trust is given to a leader in order to lead, determine clear goals and make difficult decisions. The fate of the people and the good of the state guided him, not polls, media treatment or measures of prestige. Ariel Sharon
13
I know more about wheat and olive trees than I do about politics. Ariel Sharon
14
The sad and horrible conclusion is that no one cared that Jews were being murdered... This is the Jewish lesson of the Holocaust and this is the lesson which Auschwitz taught us. Ariel Sharon
15
Pope John Paul II was a man of peace, a friend of the Jewish nation... and worked for the historic reconciliation between the nations and for the renewal of diplomatic ties between Israel and the Vatican at the end of 1993. Ariel Sharon
16
Like all Israelis, I yearn for peace. I see the utmost importance in taking all possible steps that will lead to a solution of the conflict with the Palestinians. Ariel Sharon
17
When it comes to matters of war and peace, we must not act rashly. Ariel Sharon
18
For me, peace should provide security to the Jewish people. Ariel Sharon
19
We extend our hand towards peace. Our people are committed to peace. We know that peace entails painful compromise for both sides. Ariel Sharon