To What Extent was Ariel Sharon Responsible for the Sabra and Shatila Massacre?
Abstract
This essay will discuss the extent to which Ariel Sharon was responsible for the Sabra and Shatila massacre. The massacre occurred during the 1982 Lebanon War, or Operation Peace for Galilee as Israel called it. The essay will concentrate on the different factors that could have caused this massacre, including Ariel Sharon’s position during the Lebanon War.
In order to write such an essay, its investigation will introduce the topic by discussing the situation in Lebanon before 1982, during the civil war, and the causes for Israel’s early involvement in the Lebanon War. It will then discuss the conduction of Israel and its allies in Lebanon, Israeli understanding of the danger of allowing
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The case rested upon the fact that, as defense minister, he was fully in charge of the IDF which was fully in control of Beirut at the time and that, although the massacre was carried out by Phalangists, he was fully in control of the decision making, and under international law, had control of the situation. After two years of legal battles, the Belgian Supreme Court was in favor of the plaintiffs based on anti-atrocity laws of 1993 and 1999.13
Through this case, it is understood that Ariel Sharon was in charge of the situation in the Sabra and Shatila massacre.
According to the journal of Palestine studies, Sharon made all of the decisions in the ministry of defense, and all those who opposed his position had no chance to succeed in Knesset discussions, as Sharon, NDU, “National Defense Unit”, would collect data for him, that would render him better prepared than his opponents with statements from Mossad, maps, and other documents.15
Ariel Sharon and the IDF’s Knowledge of the Dangers of Entering the Sabra and Shatila Refugee