Ariel Sharon Dies

Today we had the announcement that Ariel Sharon has passed away.

Much has been said about his legacy - he managed to defend Israel from annihilation, and was well on the road to creating peace with his Kadima party.

Many lies are also told, mainly on the Arab side. 

After 8 years in a coma, it seems he is at rest.  The world is a better place for his legacy.

Myth Busting - 2000 Intifada was deliberately planned by Arafat

I like myth busting.  A popular myth is that the 2000 Intifada was started randomly due the extreme incitement by Ariel Sharon touring the Temple Mount.

Well, interesting that Suha Arafat has now come out and explained how it was all planned by Arafat himself.

Given the level of violence had been rising for some time, it is often made out that the violence just started.

I had a debate with Nigel Parsons (of Massey University) at the time.  Himself a one-eyed reporter who was actually in Ramallah at the time.  But thankfully the truth has now come out.