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Uncharacteristic foreign policy behavior: Sharon’s decision to withdraw from Gaza

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  • Baris Kesgin

Abstract

When leaders depart from their long-held, publicly known policy positions, one possible explanation is changes in their personality. This paper inquires about one example: Ariel Sharon’s withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. Middle East observers long believed that Sharon was one of the last Israelis to cede any territory to Palestinians; alas, that became the decision to mark Sharon’s reign as prime minister. The “bulldozer†decided to evacuate the homes he had built. Assuming that Gaza disengagement implied a significant reassessment of Sharon’s previously held policy preferences, this paper asks if Sharon changed. Using leadership trait analysis, the paper develops two profiles of Sharon, before and during his premiership. Sharon is then profiled in three phases during his tenure: first term, second term until the announcement of disengagement, and until the end of his tenure. In making his decision, Sharon temporarily became a complex thinker, yet did not change in his distrust or develop empathy to the Palestinians. The findings suggest that leaders can experience a fundamental but temporary change to implement radically different decisions, and confirm that leaders’ traits are stable over time.

Suggested Citation

  • Baris Kesgin, 2019. "Uncharacteristic foreign policy behavior: Sharon’s decision to withdraw from Gaza," International Area Studies Review, Center for International Area Studies, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, vol. 22(1), pages 76-92, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:intare:v:22:y:2019:i:1:p:76-92
    DOI: 10.1177/2233865918822257
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Schultz, Kenneth A., 2005. "The Politics of Risking Peace: Do Hawks or Doves Deliver the Olive Branch?," International Organization, Cambridge University Press, vol. 59(1), pages 1-38, January.
    2. Stein, Janice Gross, 1994. "Political learning by doing: Gorbachev as uncommitted thinker and motivated learner," International Organization, Cambridge University Press, vol. 48(2), pages 155-183, April.
    3. Maoz Rosenthal, 2014. "Policy Instability in a Comparative Perspective: The Context of Heresthetic," Political Studies, Political Studies Association, vol. 62(1), pages 172-196, March.
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