Ariel Sharon has been the incarnation of Israeli nationalism: a general and prime minister, heir to forms of both socialist and revisionist Zionism. He tried through war and murder to make the occupation of the Palestinian territories and the foundation of settlements irreversible. However, the intifadas persuaded him to play the man of peace in order to disarm international pressure and preserve Israel's hold on Palestine. With the withdrawal from Gaza, he put the 'road-map to peace' on hold as he accelerated the building of settlements and the separation wall. This strategy, and his ability to rally the international community to his vision of and way to political settlement, won him unprecedented popularity in Israel. Now his departure from the political scene will alter the Middle East, making the Palestinian legislative elections more uncertain while increasing the unknowns in the upcoming Israeli elections. Hussein Agha and Robert Malley offer in depth analysis.