View source for Ariel Sharon

===Unilateral disengagement===
{{Main|Israel's unilateral disengagement plan}}
In September 2001, Sharon stated for the first time that Palestinians should have the right to establish their own land west of the [[Jordan River]].<ref name="ha'aretz obit"/> In May 2003, Sharon endorsed the [[Road Map for Peace]] put forth by the United States, the [[European Union]] and Russia, which opened a dialogue with [[Mahmud Abbas]], and stated his commitment to the creation of a Palestinian state in the future.{{cn|date=October 2023}}

He embarked on a course of unilateral withdrawal from the [[Gaza Strip]], while maintaining control of its coastline and airspace. Sharon's plan was welcomed by both the [[Palestinian Authority]] and Israel's left wing as a step towards a final peace settlement. However, it was greeted with opposition from within his own Likud party and from other right wing Israelis, on national security, military, and religious grounds.{{cn|date=October 2023}}