Sharon: war hero and practical peacemaker

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/16/sharon-war-hero-practical-leader

Version 0 of 1.

The most troubling aspect of Avi Shlaim's one-dimensional piece on former PM Ariel Sharon (Comment. 13 January) is his claim that the goal of the Gaza disengagement was "preventing the establishment of a Palestinian state". In an Orwellian turn of events, we are expected to believe that the relinquishing of Israel's control over Gaza was in fact carried out with the aim of harming the Palestinian national cause. A reality check is in order here: Israel did not install the Hamas terror group in Gaza, nor did it bring over thousands of rockets from Iran and proceed to fire them at its towns and cities. Gaza represents a tragic missed opportunity for the Palestinians to have presented their ability to live side by side with Israel in peace, one that still resonates as an alarming reminder of the challenges faced by Israel in the current peace negotiations. Yiftah Curiel Embassy of Israel

• Your editorial (13 January) claims Ariel Sharon believed terror could only be defeated with bullets and bombs. But his policy of disengagement, not only withdrawing from Gaza, but also by building the barrier that has successfully prevented terrorist attacks, gives the lie to this simplistic conclusion and shows his creativity in devising pragmatic nonviolent solutions to Palestinian intransigence and murder. He was no saint, but he was the only politician in the Middle East who successfully managed to reduce conflict by two separate practical initiatives. If only Netanyahu and Abbas were so creative. Arnold Zermansky Leeds

• Your pieces on Ariel Sharon would not be out of place in an Arab newspaper. Ariel Sharon was a soldier and his military achievements were legendary. The large battles against regular armies that he commanded in the 1956 Suez campaign, the 1967 Six Day War, and the 1973 Yom Kippur War are still taught in military academies around the world for their tactical brilliance. Countries under threat need good soldiers. The problem for many critics of Sharon is that he was a better, more daring and more successful military leader than his enemies. Diane Saunders Leeds

Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.