--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We are using missile defense to protect…" description: "\"We are using missile defense to protect our civilians, and they're using their civilians to protect their missiles.\" — Benjamin Netanyahu" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9b4/benjamin-netanyahu-2269_civilians_we-are-using-missile-defense-to-protect_886394.jpg" --- # We are using missile defense to protect our civilians, and… ![“We are using missile defense to protect our civilians, and they're using their civilians to protect their missiles.” quote by Benjamin Netanyahu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9b4/benjamin-netanyahu-2269_civilians_we-are-using-missile-defense-to-protect_886394.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9b4/benjamin-netanyahu-2269_civilians_we-are-using-missile-defense-to-protect_886394.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9b4/benjamin-netanyahu-2269_civilians_we-are-using-missile-defense-to-protect_886394.jpg) > “We are using missile defense to protect our civilians, and they're using their civilians to protect their missiles.” [Benjamin Netanyahu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-netanyahu/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Defensive strategies can be paradoxically used to protect offensive assets, creating moral dilemmas. **In simple terms:** Defense can enable offense. Key Takeaway Recognize the ethical paradox in defense policies. Themes military ethics security strategic paradox political rhetoric Mood critical serious Type political ethical When to use this quote - national defense planning - missile deployment - civilian protection - policy debates Key Concepts international law deterrence theory Questions to Reflect On - What are the moral costs of such strategies? - How can defense be truly protective? A Different Perspective Might justify harmful tactics. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Civilians](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilians/) [Civilians Protect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilians-protect-1104000/) [Civilians Using](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilians-using-1104002/) [Defense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defense/) [Missile defense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/missile-defense/) [Missiles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/missiles/) [Protect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/protect/) [Protect Civilians](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/protect-civilians-403775/) [Protect Missiles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/protect-missiles-1104001/) ## Related quotes > [You don't torture people. You don't indiscriminately attack civilians. You protect as good as you can the impact of your warfare on women and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-maurer/you-don-t-torture-people-you-don-t-indiscriminately-attack-civilians/) [Peter Maurer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-maurer/) > [We propose to rebuild the key tools of missile defense starting with Navy cruisers that are the foundation of our missile defense capabilities in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/we-propose-to-rebuild-the-key-tools-of-missile-defense-starting-with/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [We've gotten a long way on missile defense. We know how to do it. We know how to take down incoming warheads, but we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-cheney/we-ve-gotten-a-long-way-on-missile-defense-we-know-how-to-do-it-we/) [Dick Cheney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-cheney/) > [ Now they \[NATO and the USA \] are sitting there, and we are talking about all these crises we would otherwise not have. You… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-putin/now-they-nato-and-the-usa-are-sitting-there-and-we-are-talking-about/) [Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-putin/) > [We urge President Bush to abstain from the National Missile Defense, just as we urge China, India and Pakistan to discontinue their nuclear arsenals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-lindh/we-urge-president-bush-to-abstain-from-the-national-missile-defense/) [Anna Lindh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-lindh/) > [We will build an Air Force of at least 1,200 fighter aircraft, which the Heritage Foundation again has shown to be needed to execute…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/we-will-build-an-air-force-of-at-least-1-200-fighter-aircraft-which/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [I think we need missile defense. But I want to make sure it works, that it's cost effective, that the technologies are operable, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-think-we-need-missile-defense-but-i-want-to-make-sure-it-works-that/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Russia doesn't want any arms race. Russia would not engage in the arms race. We have enough technological means to provide not very expensive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergey-lavrov/russia-doesn-t-want-any-arms-race-russia-would-not-engage-in-the-arms/) [Sergey Lavrov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergey-lavrov/) > [Russia is modernizing its nuclear systems. They're moving toward more effective tactical nuclear systems. 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He abandoned our friends in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitt-romney/president-obama-has-thrown-allies-like-israel-under-the-bus-even-as/) [Mitt Romney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitt-romney/) > [ In 2009, US President \[Barack\] Obama said that the missile defense only serves as protection from Iranian nuclear missiles. But now there is an… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-putin/in-2009-us-president-barack-obama-said-that-the-missile-defense-only/) [Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-putin/) > [The International Atomic Energy Agency is controlling this, the sanctions against Iran are lifted - but still the US are working on their missile…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-putin/the-international-atomic-energy-agency-is-controlling-this-the/) [Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-putin/) > [The missile defense component is a minor feature that nobody takes very seriously. Nobody really believes that the US is trying to protect itself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-missile-defense-component-is-a-minor-feature-that-nobody-takes/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) ## More by Benjamin Netanyahu > [I always lose the election in the polls, and I always win it on election day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-netanyahu/i-always-lose-the-election-in-the-polls-and-i-always-win-it-on/) [Benjamin Netanyahu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-netanyahu/) > [There is an irreplaceable ally. It's called the United States of America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-netanyahu/there-is-an-irreplaceable-ally-it-s-called-the-united-states-of/) [Benjamin Netanyahu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-netanyahu/) > [The prime minister of Israel is welcome to speak in the United States, obviously. But we don't want to see this turned into some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-netanyahu/the-prime-minister-of-israel-is-welcome-to-speak-in-the-united-states/) [Benjamin Netanyahu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-netanyahu/) > [You can only end a negotiation for peace if you begin it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-netanyahu/you-can-only-end-a-negotiation-for-peace-if-you-begin-it/) [Benjamin Netanyahu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-netanyahu/) > [If the Palestinians do their part, we shall do our part and we shall have an agreement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-netanyahu/if-the-palestinians-do-their-part-we-shall-do-our-part-and-we-shall/) [Benjamin Netanyahu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-netanyahu/) > [Israel should have exploited the repression of the demonstrations in China, when world attention focused on that country, to carry out mass expulsions among…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-netanyahu/israel-should-have-exploited-the-repression-of-the-demonstrations-in/) [Benjamin Netanyahu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-netanyahu/) > [If the world powers are not prepared to insist that Iran change its behavior before a deal is signed, at the very least they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-netanyahu/if-the-world-powers-are-not-prepared-to-insist-that-iran-change-its/) [Benjamin Netanyahu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-netanyahu/) > [Certainly the international community is putting a lot of pressure on Iran and making clear that its nuclear program must stop. If it stops…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-netanyahu/certainly-the-international-community-is-putting-a-lot-of-pressure-on/) [Benjamin Netanyahu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-netanyahu/) > [Why are we talking about talking? Why negotiating about negotiating? It's very simple. If you want to get to peace, put all your preconditions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-netanyahu/why-are-we-talking-about-talking-why-negotiating-about-negotiating-it/) [Benjamin Netanyahu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-netanyahu/) > [We want Israel as a democratic and Jewish state. So you have to maintain a Jewish majority, and you want to do that by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-netanyahu/we-want-israel-as-a-democratic-and-jewish-state-so-you-have-to/) [Benjamin Netanyahu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-netanyahu/) > [Now, when we say we want peace, what we want is really for our Palestinian neighbours to have a demilitarized state next to us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-netanyahu/now-when-we-say-we-want-peace-what-we-want-is-really-for-our/) [Benjamin Netanyahu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-netanyahu/) > [I know Donald Trump. I know him very well. And I think his attitude, his support for Israel is clear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-netanyahu/i-know-donald-trump-i-know-him-very-well-and-i-think-his-attitude-his/) [Benjamin Netanyahu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-netanyahu/) > [I don't want a one-state solution. I want a sustainable, peaceful two-state solution, but for that circumstances have to change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-netanyahu/i-don-t-want-a-one-state-solution-i-want-a-sustainable-peaceful-two/) [Benjamin Netanyahu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-netanyahu/) > [I'm very proud to be the prime minister of all of Israel's citizens, Arabs and Jews alike.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-netanyahu/i-m-very-proud-to-be-the-prime-minister-of-all-of-israel-s-citizens/) [Benjamin Netanyahu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-netanyahu/) > [You know, I'm just not going to get into American politics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-netanyahu/you-know-i-m-just-not-going-to-get-into-american-politics/) [Benjamin Netanyahu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-netanyahu/) [Explore all 175 Benjamin Netanyahu quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-netanyahu/) ## More Civilians quotes > [UN peacekeeping operations are now increasingly complex and multi-dimensional, going beyond monitoring a ceasefire to actually bringing failed States back to life, often after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kofi-annan/un-peacekeeping-operations-are-now-increasingly-complex-and-multi/) [Kofi Annan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kofi-annan/) > [The proliferation of right-to-carry laws throughout the states has drawn plaintive complaints from the criminal element. They feel that it makes their profession too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-cooper/the-proliferation-of-right-to-carry-laws-throughout-the-states-has/) [Jeff Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-cooper/) > [My aunt and uncle are clearly civilians.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-kimmel/my-aunt-and-uncle-are-clearly-civilians/) [Jimmy Kimmel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-kimmel/) > [Some of my best sources are ex-policemen, just to get a feeling of what it's like to be one. And it's quite different from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/some-of-my-best-sources-are-ex-policemen-just-to-get-a-feeling-of/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [Well, the U.N. Security Council resolution 1973 is very clear. It says all necessary measures to be taken to protect civilians and civilian areas.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-jackson/well-the-u-n-security-council-resolution-1973-is-very-clear-it-says/) [Mike Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-jackson/) > [Be kindly and just in your dealings with your men. Never play favorites. Make them feel that justice tempered with mercy may always be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-a-lejeune/be-kindly-and-just-in-your-dealings-with-your-men-never-play/) [John A. Lejeune](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-a-lejeune/) > [There's been a systematic propagandizing of American citizens for 30 years to make us forget what America is supposed to be and what our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-wolf/there-s-been-a-systematic-propagandizing-of-american-citizens-for-30/) [Naomi Wolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-wolf/) > [ The other thing we did as government is to open gates for the civilians to leave that \[ eastern part\] area \[in Aleppo\], and… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bashar-al-assad/the-other-thing-we-did-as-government-is-to-open-gates-for-the/) [Bashar al-Assad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bashar-al-assad/) > [For all the civilians saved thanks to the presence of peacekeepers, there have been those who were lost - the United Nations personnel who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-eliasson/for-all-the-civilians-saved-thanks-to-the-presence-of-peacekeepers/) [Jan Eliasson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-eliasson/) > [ \[General Curtis\] LeMay recognized that what he was doing would be thought immoral if his side has lost. 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Many have called for appointing special…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-simmons/a-large-portion-of-american-citizens-especially-people-of-color-have/) [Russell Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-simmons/) > [Contrary to what some believe, taking all reasonable and feasible precautions to protect civilians - and mitigating the resulting anger when we harm them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-leahy/contrary-to-what-some-believe-taking-all-reasonable-and-feasible/) [Patrick Leahy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-leahy/) > [Asymmetrical warfare is a euphemism for terrorism, just like collateral damage is a euphemism for killing innocent civilians.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-dershowitz/asymmetrical-warfare-is-a-euphemism-for-terrorism-just-like/) [Alan Dershowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-dershowitz/) [Browse all 428 Civilians quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilians/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We are using missile defense to protect our civilians, and they're using their civilians to protect their missiles.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Benjamin Netanyahu" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-netanyahu/we-are-using-missile-defense-to-protect-our-civilians-and-they-re/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Civilians" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-netanyahu/we-are-using-missile-defense-to-protect-our-civilians-and-they-re/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9b4/benjamin-netanyahu-2269_civilians_we-are-using-missile-defense-to-protect_886394.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9b4/benjamin-netanyahu-2269_civilians_we-are-using-missile-defense-to-protect_886394.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9b4/benjamin-netanyahu-2269_civilians_we-are-using-missile-defense-to-protect_886394.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We are using missile defense to protect our civilians, and they're using their civilians to protect their…” — Benjamin Netanyahu", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Benjamin Netanyahu", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-netanyahu/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "We are using missile defense to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-netanyahu/we-are-using-missile-defense-to-protect-our-civilians-and-they-re/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-netanyahu/we-are-using-missile-defense-to-protect-our-civilians-and-they-re/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```