10 former terrorists who became politicians (With Pictures)

2. Ariel Sharon

A controversial figure, Ariel Sharon divided opinion both in the West and at home. As the commander of the Israeli Army during its creation in 1948, Sharon was nicknamed the “King of Israel” for his string of successful operations in defending Israel and attacking its adversaries between 1948 and 1973. To others, however, Sharon will always be remembered for his responsibility for the massacres of civilians in the Palestinian refugee camps of Sabra and Shatilla. SEE ALSO: 10 WWE Stars who came out as gay – #1 will leave you in a big shock! (With Pictures)

Up to 3,500 unarmed civilians were murdered by Sharon’s forces and, as a result, he was forced to resign as Defence Minister. An alternative name, “the butcher of Beirut,” was given to Sharon for his part in the massacres. Sharon makes this list, however, due to his part in the formation of commando Unit 101. This elite unit of fighters killed Arab militiamen, as well as unarmed women and children, in retaliation for Arab attacks on Israel. It was eventually incorporated into the Israeli Defence Forces. Despite his record, Ariel Sharon became Israel’s 11^th prime minister and was the first to state that the Palestinians had a right to form a state. A truly polarising figure in his lifetime, Sharon died 8 years after being in a permanent vegetative state on January 11^th, 2014.