arik

a sabra plant is a desert cactus, also known as a cactus pear. the sabra has a thorny, thick peel. inside, there is a soft, sweet fruit.

modern israel has largely been shaped by early immigrants and exiles. however, native israelis are israel's heart. the sabra is hardened by our long history, and softened by our still hope.

sharon was only cactus for so long. he was sharp and serious. he was cold and hard and strong. this sharon was steel soldier and stone patriot.

in 1967, armies amassed at the northern and southwestern borders of israel. they blocked israeli straits and increased pressure on the western border. arab armies gathered for an imminent joint attack, but the israeli military struck out early. they surprised the arab forces with large air raids. sharon led a batallion of israeli forces west out of israel and and overran territory into egypt. israel gained complete victory in 6 days, and it officially seized the golan heights, gaza strip, west bank, and sinai peninsula.

however, arabs often refer to sharon as "the butcher of beirut". in 1982, israel invaded the southern region of lebanon to buffer an intense civil conflict. in september, sharon directed israeli forces to control refugee camps in sabra and shatila. an independent israeli commission determined that following the election of bechard gemaryel as president, sharon allowed a christian militia to enter the refugee camps and kill up to 500 lebanese and palestinians.

recently, sharon has cleaned his legacy. while he has brandished thorns, he has also shown sweet fruit. for example, he identfied "demographic realities" and softened his vision of greater israel. while he strongarmed militants, he also strongarmed reactionary conservatives in his former political party, likud. sharon gained traction for disengagement from israeli leftists and palestinian fatah. he also made significant steps towards just peace as prime minister. recent reports, in fact, show grudging admiration for sharon in the arab world.

how do we sort out his history? we clearly must hope for a healthy and speedy recovery. i believe we also must remember that his history, and also our history, includes glory and despair. it includes freedom and injustice.