Ariel Sharon
Former Prime Minister of Israel (2001–2006) · Likud, then Kadima
1 change of mind on record, 2000–2004
How this works
Each change shows what they said then and what they said later, in their own words, dated, with the source.
Every quote is checked word for word against a saved copy of its source. Translations are labelled.
The short labels on each line are our summaries.
At a glance
first said said otherwise
Evacuating the settlements in Gaza
Then
No evacuation of settlements
As leader of the opposition, he says settlements must not be evacuated: they were built in security zones vital to Israel's defence, and talks with the Palestinians should aim at a long-term interim arrangement.
"אין לפנות יישובים, היישובים הוקמו באזורי ביטחון החיוניים להגנת ישראל. אסור לסכן את ישראל."
Our translation Settlements must not be evacuated; the settlements were established in the security zones vital to Israel's defence. Israel must not be endangered.
3 years, 1 month later
Later
Only in a final agreement
As prime minister, he says the future of the Jewish settlements in Judea, Samaria and Gaza will be decided only in final-status talks, and that his government has no intention of dealing with it now.
"חשוב להבהיר, עתידה של ההתיישבות היהודית ביהודה, בשומרון ובחבל-עזה ייקבע אך ורק כאשר נגיע לדון בהסדרי הקבע, שיובילו, בעזרת השם, לשלום בין ישראל לפלסטינים. אין לנו שום כוונה לעסוק בכך עכשיו, יהיה זה לא נכון מבחינת האינטרסים של ישראל לעסוק בכך כרגע."
Our translation It is important to make clear: the future of the Jewish settlement in Judea, Samaria and the Gaza district will be decided only when we come to discuss the final-status arrangements, which will lead, God willing, to peace between Israel and the Palestinians. We have no intention whatsoever of dealing with this now; it would not be right, in terms of Israel's interests, to deal with it at the moment.
Source דברי הכנסת, הכנסת ה-16, 21 ביולי 2003: ראש הממשלה אריאל שרון בדיון לבקשת 40 חברי כנסת
1 year, 3 months later
Latest
Leave Gaza unilaterally
He asks the Knesset to approve his disengagement plan, under which Israel leaves Gaza and evacuates all its settlements (and four in northern Samaria) without an agreement, and says he is convinced it will strengthen Israel.
"אני משוכנע בעמקי לבי ובמיטב הכרתי כי ההתנתקות הזאת תחזק את ישראל"
Our translation I am convinced in the depths of my heart and to the best of my understanding that this disengagement will strengthen Israel
Context: He first announced a unilateral disengagement plan at the Herzliya Conference in December 2003. The Knesset approved the plan on 26 October 2004, and Israel evacuated all 21 settlements in Gaza and four in northern Samaria in August 2005.