Ruth King

In September 1982 during the Lebanon War, while Beirut was under Israeli control, Christian Phalangist troops entered the Sabra and Shatilla camps and killed between 470 (Lebanese figures) and 800 (Israeli numbers) Palestinian Arabs combatants, and roughly 45 civilians. The bloody episode, perpetrated by Arabs, occasioned a media assault against Israel with the International Red Cross bruiting the number of deaths as high as 3500.

The Kahan Commission, established by Israel to investigate Israel’s role, released its findings on February 8th, 1983, faulting General Ariel Sharon for ignoring the danger of bloodshed and revenge occasioned by the assassination of Maronite President-elect Bashir Gemayel.

The irony should not be lost. Arabs murdered Arabs and Israel convened a commission of inquiry which blamed an Israeli general. Years later it was established that the assaults, known in Arabic as “the night of the long knives,” was silent, so no gunshots could be heard. Nonetheless, Sharon was removed from his post as Defense Minister.

On February 21, 1983 in an article on the Kahane Commission’s findings, Time magazine stated “Sharon discussed revenge with the Gemayel family after the assassination of Bashir Gemayel.” This brief sentence, buried in the article's thousands of words, led Ariel Sharon to bring a libel suit against Time. The suit ended with each side claiming victory. Although Time was exonerated from acting maliciously, the magazine was scolded by Judge Abraham Sofaer for acting irresponsibly.

At the time, asked why he bothered with a suit over a few words, Sharon's response to a small group of supporters (I was present as was AFSI Chairman Herbert Zweibon) was that he could not live with a footnote in history that would allege he collaborated in any way in such a bloody episode.

Sharon was dismissed, but in the view of real friends of Israel, not discredited. In his subsequent public life, he was principled, denouncing Oslo, supporting Jewish rights in all of Palestine, defending Israeli sovereignty over a united Jerusalem, notably the Temple Mount, and rejecting territorial concessions. He inspired all of us in the Diaspora who support a safe Israel.

As Prime Minister, he has betrayed each of his earlier previous commitments. He has become General Huff and Puff, blowing out stout talk, then collapsing into preemptive surrender. His statements about Abbas are actually silly. “No I won’t deal with him” quickly followed by “I have to deal with him” and “maybe I’ll deal with him” to “I’ll show him” ….it's like a hide and seek game between children. In fact, General Huff and Puff is negotiating with himself, telling Abbas and all Israel’s enemies that no one will dictate to him: he’ll retreat and concede and surrender without so much as consulting them.

This is the footnote to his biography that will stick. Far worse than anything Time could have done. Maybe Sharon will sue Outpost.