---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When we say that the Arabs are the…"
description: "\"When we say that the Arabs are the aggressors and we defend ourselves---- that is only half the truth. As regards our security and life we defendoursel..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84e/david-10635_aspect_when-we-say-that-the-arabs-are-the-aggre_1698119.jpg"
---

#  When we say that the Arabs are the aggressors and we…

![“When we say that the Arabs are the aggressors and we defend ourselves---- that is only half the truth. As regards our security and life we defendourselves. . . . But the fighting is only one aspect of the conflict,which is in its essence a political one. And politically we are the aggressors and…” quote by David](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84e/david-10635_aspect_when-we-say-that-the-arabs-are-the-aggre_1698119.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84e/david-10635_aspect_when-we-say-that-the-arabs-are-the-aggre_1698119.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84e/david-10635_aspect_when-we-say-that-the-arabs-are-the-aggre_1698119.jpg)

> “When we say that the Arabs are the aggressors and we defend ourselves---- that is only half the truth. As regards our security and life we defendourselves. . . . But the fighting is only one aspect of the conflict,which is in its essence a political one. And politically we are the aggressors and theydefend themselves.”

[David](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david/)

## About This Quote

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

The quote suggests that while both sides claim self‑defence, the deeper issue is political aggression, not just military action.

**In simple terms:** Both sides claim self‑defence, but politics drive the conflict.

Key Takeaway

Recognise the political roots of conflict.

Themes

politics conflict perception aggression self‑defence

Mood

reflective critical

Type

analytical thought‑provoking

When to use this quote

- Diplomatic negotiations
- media analysis
- policy making
- peace talks

Key Concepts

Power dynamics narrative framing justice

Questions to Reflect On

- What political interests are hidden behind the claim of self‑defence?
- How can we address both security and political grievances?

A Different Perspective

It may oversimplify complex motives and ignore legitimate security concerns.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Aggressors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aggressors/) [Aggressors Defend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aggressors-defend-1123407/) [Aggressors Theydefend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aggressors-theydefend-1123409/) [Arabs Aggressors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arabs-aggressors-1123406/) [Aspect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aspect/) [Conflict](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conflict/) [Cybersecurity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cybersecurity/) [Essence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/essence/) [Fighting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fighting/) [Half](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/half/) [Israel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/israel/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Political](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/political/) [Politically Aggressors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politically-aggressors-1123408/) [Security](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/security/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/)

## Related quotes

> [When we say that the Arabs are the aggressors and we defend ourselves — this is only half the truth. As regards our security…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-ben-gurion/when-we-say-that-the-arabs-are-the-aggressors-and-we-defend-ourselves-2/)

[David Ben-Gurion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-ben-gurion/)

> [Let us not ignore the truth among ourselves ... politically we are the aggressors and they defend themselves... The country is theirs, because they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-ben-gurion/let-us-not-ignore-the-truth-among-ourselves-politically-we-are-the/)

[David Ben-Gurion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-ben-gurion/)

> [A man's excellence is like that of water; It benefits all things without striving; It takes to the low places shunned by men. Water…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/a-man-s-excellence-is-like-that-of-water-it-benefits-all-things/)

[Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/)

> [At the U.N., any nation that fights back is censored as an "aggressor."](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-levenson/at-the-u-n-any-nation-that-fights-back-is-censored-as-an-aggressor/)

[Sam Levenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-levenson/)

> [Our arms must be mighty ... ready for instant action, so that no potential aggressor may be tempted to risk his own destruction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-d-eisenhower/our-arms-must-be-mighty-ready-for-instant-action-so-that-no-potential/)

[Dwight D. Eisenhower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-d-eisenhower/)

> [Those who plead their cause in the absence of an opponent can invent to their heart's content, can pontificate without taking into account the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-de-pizan/those-who-plead-their-cause-in-the-absence-of-an-opponent-can-invent/)

[Christine de Pizan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-de-pizan/)

> [We must prevent a criminal understanding between the Fascist aggressors and the British and French imperialist clique.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grigor-dimitrov/we-must-prevent-a-criminal-understanding-between-the-fascist/)

[Grigor Dimitrov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grigor-dimitrov/)

> [If we as a society want to cure unemployment, raise real wages, and in other ways improve our economy, we will base public policy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-block/if-we-as-a-society-want-to-cure-unemployment-raise-real-wages-and-in/)

[Walter Block](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-block/)

> [Being tolerant does not mean acquiescing to the intolerable; it does not mean covering up disrespect; it does not mean coddling the aggressor or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-freire/being-tolerant-does-not-mean-acquiescing-to-the-intolerable-it-does/)

[Paulo Freire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-freire/)

> [There is no shame in being a survivor of sexual violence. The shame is on the aggressor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angelina-jolie/there-is-no-shame-in-being-a-survivor-of-sexual-violence-the-shame-is/)

[Angelina Jolie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angelina-jolie/)

> [I'm sure if you were a Bosnian during the war, you would wish to kill Serbs. Just because it is the opposite of you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaspar-noe/i-m-sure-if-you-were-a-bosnian-during-the-war-you-would-wish-to-kill/)

[Gaspar Noe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaspar-noe/)

> [Could anyone in his right mind speak seriously of any limited nuclear war? It should be quite clear that the aggressor's actions will instantly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dmitriy-ustinov/could-anyone-in-his-right-mind-speak-seriously-of-any-limited-nuclear/)

[Dmitriy Ustinov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dmitriy-ustinov/)

> [In my experience of fights and fighting, it is invariably the aggressor who keeps getting everything wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-amis/in-my-experience-of-fights-and-fighting-it-is-invariably-the/)

[Martin Amis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-amis/)

> [In our own native land, in defense of the freedom that is our birthright and which we ever enjoyed till the late violation of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/in-our-own-native-land-in-defense-of-the-freedom-that-is-our/)

[Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/)

> [Azerbaijan unleashed the war, and was defeated in that war; Azerbaijan asked for truce (including from the Commander of Karabakh's forces) and later started…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/serzh-sargsyan/azerbaijan-unleashed-the-war-and-was-defeated-in-that-war-azerbaijan/)

[Serzh Sargsyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/serzh-sargsyan/)

## More by David

> [Ek Kavita mere tharki Dosto ke liye Tu Dost hai mera, Tujh pe Jaan waar dunga, Magar zyada uchhlega to teri Gaand maar dunga.!…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david/ek-kavita-mere-tharki-dosto-ke-liye-tu-dost-hai-mera-tujh-pe-jaan/)

[David](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david/)

> [The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david/the-lord-is-my-shepherd-i-shall-not-want-he-maketh-me-to-lie-down-in/)

[David](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david/)

> [There is nothing in the desert and no man needs nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david/there-is-nothing-in-the-desert-and-no-man-needs-nothing/)

[David](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david/)

> [People learn from people they love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david/people-learn-from-people-they-love/)

[David](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david/)

> [ HONEY SINGH CHOOT (HIPHOP) LYRICS Honey singh (honey singh) Baadshah¦ choot.. vol 1 \[chorus \] Kenday pechayian pindaan ney teree mari Saaday lun ney… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david/honey-singh-choot-hiphop-lyrics-honey-singh-honey-singh-baadshah/)

[David](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david/)

> [I think of you. I wonder why we are so far. But if given the chance I would go to world's end just to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david/i-think-of-you-i-wonder-why-we-are-so-far-but-if-given-the-chance-i/)

[David](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david/)

> [As one thinketh in his heart, so is he.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david/as-one-thinketh-in-his-heart-so-is-he/)

[David](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david/)

> [“Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life. Psalms 4:23”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david/be-careful-what-you-think-because-your-thoughts-run-your-life-psalms/)

[David](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david/)

> [A wise man, therefore, proportions his belief to the evidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david/a-wise-man-therefore-proportions-his-belief-to-the-evidence/)

[David](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david/)

> [Be strong and of good courage; fear not or be dismayed; for the Lord, even my God, will be with thee. He will not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david/be-strong-and-of-good-courage-fear-not-or-be-dismayed-for-the-lord/)

[David](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david/)

> [Of course, one of the main legitimate functions of thought has always been to help provide security, guaranteeing shelter and food for instance. However,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david/of-course-one-of-the-main-legitimate-functions-of-thought-has-always/)

[David](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david/)

> [Look for opportunities to help someone else, but don't give expecting something in return. Give knowing that if we give we receive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david/look-for-opportunities-to-help-someone-else-but-don-t-give-expecting/)

[David](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david/)

> [I'm doing the 2015 5x50 challenge because ... t’s the most awesome incentive for your daily motivation!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david/i-m-doing-the-2015-5x50-challenge-because-t-s-the-most-awesome/)

[David](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david/)

> [How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david/how-precious-also-are-thy-thoughts-unto-me-o-god-how-great-is-the-sum/)

[David](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david/)

> [What is essential here is the presence of the spirit of dialogue, which is in short, the ability to hold many points of view…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david/what-is-essential-here-is-the-presence-of-the-spirit-of-dialogue/)

[David](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david/)

[Explore all 64 David quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david/)

## More Aggressors quotes

> [Azerbaijan unleashed the war, and was defeated in that war; Azerbaijan asked for truce (including from the Commander of Karabakh's forces) and later started…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/serzh-sargsyan/azerbaijan-unleashed-the-war-and-was-defeated-in-that-war-azerbaijan/)

[Serzh Sargsyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/serzh-sargsyan/)

> [There is no shame in being a survivor of sexual violence. The shame is on the aggressor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angelina-jolie/there-is-no-shame-in-being-a-survivor-of-sexual-violence-the-shame-is/)

[Angelina Jolie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angelina-jolie/)

> [A man's excellence is like that of water; It benefits all things without striving; It takes to the low places shunned by men. Water…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/a-man-s-excellence-is-like-that-of-water-it-benefits-all-things/)

[Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/)

> [In our own native land, in defense of the freedom that is our birthright and which we ever enjoyed till the late violation of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/in-our-own-native-land-in-defense-of-the-freedom-that-is-our/)

[Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/)

> [In my experience of fights and fighting, it is invariably the aggressor who keeps getting everything wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-amis/in-my-experience-of-fights-and-fighting-it-is-invariably-the/)

[Martin Amis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-amis/)

> [Could anyone in his right mind speak seriously of any limited nuclear war? It should be quite clear that the aggressor's actions will instantly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dmitriy-ustinov/could-anyone-in-his-right-mind-speak-seriously-of-any-limited-nuclear/)

[Dmitriy Ustinov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dmitriy-ustinov/)

> [I'm sure if you were a Bosnian during the war, you would wish to kill Serbs. Just because it is the opposite of you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaspar-noe/i-m-sure-if-you-were-a-bosnian-during-the-war-you-would-wish-to-kill/)

[Gaspar Noe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaspar-noe/)

> [Let us not ignore the truth among ourselves ... politically we are the aggressors and they defend themselves... The country is theirs, because they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-ben-gurion/let-us-not-ignore-the-truth-among-ourselves-politically-we-are-the/)

[David Ben-Gurion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-ben-gurion/)

> [Being tolerant does not mean acquiescing to the intolerable; it does not mean covering up disrespect; it does not mean coddling the aggressor or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-freire/being-tolerant-does-not-mean-acquiescing-to-the-intolerable-it-does/)

[Paulo Freire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-freire/)

> [If we as a society want to cure unemployment, raise real wages, and in other ways improve our economy, we will base public policy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-block/if-we-as-a-society-want-to-cure-unemployment-raise-real-wages-and-in/)

[Walter Block](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-block/)

> [We must prevent a criminal understanding between the Fascist aggressors and the British and French imperialist clique.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grigor-dimitrov/we-must-prevent-a-criminal-understanding-between-the-fascist/)

[Grigor Dimitrov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grigor-dimitrov/)

> [Those who plead their cause in the absence of an opponent can invent to their heart's content, can pontificate without taking into account the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-de-pizan/those-who-plead-their-cause-in-the-absence-of-an-opponent-can-invent/)

[Christine de Pizan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-de-pizan/)

> [Our arms must be mighty ... ready for instant action, so that no potential aggressor may be tempted to risk his own destruction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-d-eisenhower/our-arms-must-be-mighty-ready-for-instant-action-so-that-no-potential/)

[Dwight D. Eisenhower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-d-eisenhower/)

> [At the U.N., any nation that fights back is censored as an "aggressor."](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-levenson/at-the-u-n-any-nation-that-fights-back-is-censored-as-an-aggressor/)

[Sam Levenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-levenson/)

> [In the end, the aggressors always destroy themselves, making way for others who know how to cooperate and get along. Life is much less…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fritjof-capra/in-the-end-the-aggressors-always-destroy-themselves-making-way-for/)

[Fritjof Capra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fritjof-capra/)

[Browse all 89 Aggressors quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aggressors/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "When we say that the Arabs are the aggressors and we defend ourselves---- that is only half the truth. As regards our security and life we defendourselves. . . . But the fighting is only one aspect of the conflict,which is in its essence a political one. And politically we are the aggressors and theydefend themselves.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "David"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david/when-we-say-that-the-arabs-are-the-aggressors-and-we-defend-ourselves/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Aggressors"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david/when-we-say-that-the-arabs-are-the-aggressors-and-we-defend-ourselves/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84e/david-10635_aspect_when-we-say-that-the-arabs-are-the-aggre_1698119.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84e/david-10635_aspect_when-we-say-that-the-arabs-are-the-aggre_1698119.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84e/david-10635_aspect_when-we-say-that-the-arabs-are-the-aggre_1698119.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“When we say that the Arabs are the aggressors and we defend ourselves---- that is only half the truth. As…” — David",
                "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": "David",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "When we say that the Arabs...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david/when-we-say-that-the-arabs-are-the-aggressors-and-we-defend-ourselves/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david/when-we-say-that-the-arabs-are-the-aggressors-and-we-defend-ourselves/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
