ISRAELI SETTLEMENTS

Sharon held a unique position when it comes to Israel's settlements in the West Bank and Gaza. On one hand, he was instrumental in aiding the construction of settlements in the West Bank during his time as housing minister. On the other hand, it was him as prime minister that single-handedly pushed through the withdrawal of Israeli settlements and military bases from the Gaza Strip in 2004.

Sharon was harshly criticized by members of his own Likud party, especially current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu; nevertheless, due to his unique standing, he was able to "bulldoze" over his opponents and in the end Israel left Gaza. This was an accomplishment that many Israelis have come to admire and expect in today's politicians.

After the Gaza disengagement, Sharon broke away from the Likud to form his own party called Kadima, forward in Hebrew. However, in January 2006, before he could run in the elections to the Knesset parliament, Sharon suffered a brain hemorrhage and fell into a coma.

Most public opinion polls at the time indicated that Sharon would have become the next prime minister as the head of Kadima. Whether or not he would have continued the policy of unilateral withdrawal or opt for a negotiated settlement will remain unknown.

However, the decisions that he took both as general and prime minister will continue to have an impact on Israel and regional politics for a long time.