Age Quote by Ehud Olmert
“We can never totally return to the indefensible pre-1967 borders, ... We simply cannot afford to make Israel 14.48 km (9 miles) wide again at its center. We can't allow the Palestinians to be a couple of [miles] from [Tel Aviv's] Ben-Gurion Airport in the age of shoulder-fire missiles with the capacity to shoot down jumbo jets. But that doesn't mean we must remain in every corner of the West Bank or in Gaza, where fewer than 10,000 Jews, living next to 1.3 million Palestinians, have been protected by twice as many soldiers.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: 2005 peace conference, Israel/Palestine negotiations
Territorial compromises are necessary for security, but full withdrawal is impractical.
In simple terms: Compromise needed, but limits exist.
Balance security with realistic borders.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- negotiations
- border planning
- military strategy
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What are the essential security needs?
- How can both sides feel heard?
Compromise may fuel further conflict.