Skip to content

The bottom line is this: Peace will come to Israel and the…

“The bottom line is this: Peace will come to Israel and the Middle East only when the Israeli government is willing to comply with international law, with the Roadmap for Peace, with official American policy, with the wishes of a majority of its own citizens--and honor its own previous…” quote by Jimmy Carter
Download Open image
““The bottom line is this: Peace will come to Israel and the Middle East only when the Israeli government is willing to comply with international law, with the Roadmap for Peace, with official American policy, with the wishes of a majority of its own citizens--and honor its own previous commitments--by accepting its legal borders. All Arab neighbors must pledge to honor Israel's right to live in peace under these conditions. The United States is squandering international prestige and goodwill and intensifying global anti-American terrorism by unofficially condoning or abetting the Israeli confiscation and colonization of Palestinian territories.””

Jimmy Carter

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Peace requires Israel to follow international law, the Roadmap for Peace, U.S. policy, and its citizens' wishes, while Arab states must recognize Israel's right to live peacefully; U.S. credibility suffers when it appears to enable Israeli settlement expansion.

In simple terms: Israel must obey law and agreements for peace; U.S. must not enable settlement growth.

Key Takeaway

Uphold legal commitments and support balanced negotiations.

Themes

peace international law diplomacy U.S. foreign policy Middle East conflict resolution

Mood

concerned hopeful critical

Type

political analytical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • policy negotiations
  • peace talks
  • humanitarian advocacy
  • government accountability
  • public diplomacy

Key Concepts

sovereignty human rights negotiation geopolitics terrorism

Questions to Reflect On

  • What steps can the U.S. take to enforce compliance without escalating conflict?
  • How can Israeli public opinion be mobilized toward peace?
A Different Perspective

U.S. political constraints and regional power dynamics may limit enforcement of these conditions.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Jimmy Carter

Explore all 532 Jimmy Carter quotes

More Bottom line quotes

Browse all 942 Bottom line quotes