Voice of America Roundtable – Inter-American Forum
Pedro Rodriguez, Diario ABC of Spain: How can you explain the transformation of Ariel Sharon, he was minister of defense during the invasion of Lebanon, during which there were horrible massacres, he was considered by the government of Israel to be indirectly responsible and had to leave the ministry. How has he reinvented himself to appear as a champion of peace?
Grant Smith: I think to say he’s a man of peace is going too far. The transformation is that of a military man who has gained experience since his first battles. He was in the first wars between Israel and the Arabs, and from the beginning experience of being in the low ground, in the bullets, wounded in battle, gave him the mentality to always seek the higher, strategic, territory. The climate now isn’t so much about peace (for Sharon) but rather what is realistic in terms of a future for Israel. What are the limits Israel can aspire to in the real world, in the current conditions?
The Arabs, as you’ve said, still consider him to be a war criminal, for the massacres of Sabra and Shatila…
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