Bergen Record, 1-4-2005

Aref Assaf, president of the American Arab Forum, said Sharon would not be remembered fondly by Palestinians.

"He was not a man of peace as far as Palestinians are concerned," Assaf said.

Many Palestinians remember Sharon's inability to reach a lasting peace and his advocacy of Jewish settlements in the West Bank early in his political career, Assaf said. Even after the prime minister later ordered the removal of the settlers, the region was left in shambles, he added.

"The fact [that] he allowed the army to engage in the collective punishment of Palestinians and the destruction of thousands of homes is the legacy Palestinians will remember for many year to come," Assaf said.

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