Ariel Sharon won a
historic landslide victory in the special Israeli
prime minister elections on
February 7,
2001.
The
former general and defense minister, nicknamed '
Bulldozer', captured
62.6 percent of the vote, with
99.9 percent of ballot papers counted -- a
25 percent majority.
Sharon promised Israelis the country was on a new path of "
security and
true peace" during his victory speech.
Sharon has taken a
hard-line approach to
peace talks with the
Palestinians, pledging in his victory speech to "strengthen and build the united
Jerusalem,
Israel's capital and the capital of the Jewish people for all eternity."
Sharon said he had received a call from
U.S. President George W. Bush congratulating him.
Sharon is also currently under investigation in
Belgium for the
Sabra and Shatila massacre. The Belgians are hoping to try him on
war crimes charges.
One year into his term he has brought no additional security to the State of Israel. Only war.