More Quotes
“I am going to the United States not because I seek a confrontation with the President, but because I must fulfill my obligation to speak up on a matter that affects the very survival of my country … We have a profound disagreement with the United States administration and the rest of the P5+1 over the offer that was made to Iran. This offer will enable Iran to threaten Israel’s survival.” (Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a televised statement, 10/02/2015)
“I have no doubt that Gadi, who replaces me and is extremely familiar with the environment and challenges, and has all the required experience and determination needed to continue to lead the army in the right way.” (IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz at a reception held by Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin, 09/02/2015)
“The Arab public with all its diversity today makes up more than 20 percent of the general population and more than a quarter of children in first grade … One may like it, one may fear it, but one cannot ignore it. This is a community, part and parcel of this land, for whom this land is their homeland.”
“Sadly, too few Israeli Jews are familiar with the Arab society, beyond assumptions of stereotype. Therefore, there exists a significant gap, created over the years, between the two societies which live side by side, together – yet blind to one another. Over this divide, this gap, we must build a bridge, step by step. The mission to build a bridge, and a basis for a sense of cooperation between the Jewish and Arab communities, is for me a humanitarian, Jewish, Zionist, and national mission of the very highest priority.”
“The success of our journey may alter our long-term reality, yet its failure may lead to pain and distress,” he said. “We do not have the privilege to fail, nor to give up. Good-will alone will not suffice.
“One thing that I can assure you – as long as you stand by your commitment to this mission, I will be here with you and for you, and my door will always be open to you. We are partners in this national mission which you have taken upon yourselves. We are partners on this journey which is our duty to our children, for us all, each and every one of us.” (Israel’s President Reuven Rubi Rivlin speaking at an event to increase employment among Israeli Arabs, 08 February 2015)
“Martin was a wonderful historian, a proud and faithful servant to his country, and a true friend of Israel. His writings on Churchill and on Israel have had a profound effect on me. He showed that great learning and wisdom could be combined with true humility. He showed that you could be both a proud citizen of Britain and a proud Jew. He was a mensch, loved by all who knew him. We give thanks for his service. We will miss him” (British Ambassador to Israel Matthew Gould speaking on behalf of Prime Minister Cameron at the funeral of historian Martin Gilbert, 05/02/2015)
“The mind cannot grasp such a human tragedy, how we lost many beloved mothers and grandmothers in a single moment. This is a time for unity and gathering, a time when the community must take the orphans to its heart and help them go on.” (Israeli President Reuven Rivlin speaking to the mayor of Hura Dr. Muhammad al-Nabari, 04/02/2015)
“Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman commented on the resignation of William Schabas from the chairmanship of the UN Commission of Inquiry regarding the fighting in Gaza. FM Liberman stated that the resignation will not affect the Commission’s findings, which are as prejudiced as the body that established it, whose sole purpose is bashing and attacking Israel. The resignation serves to highlight once more the character of the Commission’s members and its inherent bias.
Minister Liberman stated that Schabas’ resignation is another victory for Israeli diplomacy and the hard work of Israel’s Foreign Affairs representatives, and serves to show that even the biggest hypocrites in the international organs cannot ignore the fact that Schabas’ appointment to investigate Israel was akin to the appointment of Cain to investigate the murder of Abel.” (A statement by Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 3 February 2015)