A politician who voluntarily leaves a safe seat in parliament for military service is a rarity in Israel–and in any other country for that matter. But Gen. Ariel (Aric) Sharon, the charismatic hero of the Yom Kippur War. proved by his resignation from the Knesset last week that he was a soldier before he was a politician–in spirit as well as actuality
His surprise move won him praise from most Israelis, including his political foes. Sharon declared bluntly that he believed another war was imminent and that he could best serve the nation in uniform. Accordingly, he accepted a senior command position in the reserves and says he hopes to return shortly to the regular army. But the man who fathered a coalition of centrist and rightist political factions last year to form the non-Labor opposition Likud, took a parting swipe at the government as he left the Knesset.
He declared that the recently promulgated government rule barring anyone above the rank of division commander from serving simultaneously in the Knesset and the armed forces was illegal and directed against himself personally. Sharon contended that the government was anxious to keep him from returning to the army because of his outspoken criticism of some of his superiors after the Yom Kippur War.
IN FOREFRONT OF OPPOSITION
Sharon, under whose command Israeli forces broke through Egyptian lines to establish a bridgehead on the west bank of the Suez Canal, resigned from the army after it was made clear to him that he could not expect further promotions. Specifically, he was advised that he was not a candidate for the country’s top military post–Chief of Staff–which many, including himself, felt he deserved.
As a leader of Likud, Sharon was in the forefront of the opposition to government policies and his brilliant military career that began many years before the Yom Kippur War, added weight to his words. As a Reserves General he may still criticize the government but he must eschew political statements if he takes a regular army command. Sharon says he is aware of this but considers the military dangers confronting Israel far more important than his political career
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