ABSTRACT
The Israeli conception, identified primarily with Defense Minister Sharon, was that the eviction of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) from Lebanon, where it enjoyed an independent base of operation, would put an end to that organization and its influence. In the absence of PLO interference Sharon apparently thought, would find it easier to acquiesce to Israel's gradual annexation of the occupied territories. The invasion of Lebanon, ignited by a series of retaliatory actions after Israel's ambassador in London was shot by a breakaway PLO terrorist group in late May 1982, seemed to follow the scenario that Ariel Sharon had envisaged. The announcement of the Reagan Proposals coincided with what the Israeli government might otherwise have presented as an outright achievement and immediately called Israel's war gains into question. Although carried out far afield, Issam Sartawi's assassination would suffice to remind the Arabs in the occupied territories just what price they might have to pay if they strayed from the PLO line.
