--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: From the beginning, I said that Israel…" description: "\"From the beginning, I said that Israel, one, has a right to defend herself, but Israel ought to be cautious about how she defends herself. Israel's a d..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/551/george-w-bush-64_be-cautious_from-the-beginning-i-said-that-israel-on_2115845.jpg" --- # From the beginning, I said that Israel, one, has a right… ![“From the beginning, I said that Israel, one, has a right to defend herself, but Israel ought to be cautious about how she defends herself. Israel's a democratically elected government. They make decisions on their own sovereignty. It's their decision-making that is what leads to the tactics they…” quote by George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/551/george-w-bush-64_be-cautious_from-the-beginning-i-said-that-israel-on_2115845.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/551/george-w-bush-64_be-cautious_from-the-beginning-i-said-that-israel-on_2115845.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/551/george-w-bush-64_be-cautious_from-the-beginning-i-said-that-israel-on_2115845.jpg) > “From the beginning, I said that Israel, one, has a right to defend herself, but Israel ought to be cautious about how she defends herself. Israel's a democratically elected government. They make decisions on their own sovereignty. It's their decision-making that is what leads to the tactics they chose.” [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Israel has a right to self‑defence but must act prudently, respecting democratic values and sovereignty. **In simple terms:** Israel can defend itself but must be careful. Key Takeaway Balance security with restraint. Themes defence democracy sovereignty ethics Mood serious reflective Type political analytical When to use this quote - policy debates - military planning - human rights advocacy Key Concepts international law strategic restraint Questions to Reflect On - How can a democracy ensure ethical defence? - What limits should be set on military actions? A Different Perspective Security measures may conflict with moral constraints. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Be cautious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/be-cautious/) [Cautious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cautious/) [Decision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decision/) [Defend Israel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defend-israel-2092787/) [Defends Israel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defends-israel-4293563/) [Israel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/israel/) [Israel Democratically](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/israel-democratically-4293564/) [Israel Ought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/israel-ought-4293565/) [Israel Right](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/israel-right-396451/) [Sovereignty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sovereignty/) ## Related quotes > [I defend Israel's right to exist, to defend themselves, to not let themselves be exterminated a second time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oriana-fallaci/i-defend-israel-s-right-to-exist-to-defend-themselves-to-not-let/) [Oriana Fallaci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oriana-fallaci/) > [Israel is a solid ally of the United States. We will rise to Israel's defense, if need be. So this kind of menacing talk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/israel-is-a-solid-ally-of-the-united-states-we-will-rise-to-israel-s/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [There's nothing more deep than recognizing Israel's right to exist. That's the most deep thought of all. ... I can't think of anything more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/there-s-nothing-more-deep-than-recognizing-israel-s-right-to-exist/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [ The role of Jews who write in both the Jewish and \[American\] general press is to defend Israel. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-podhoretz/the-role-of-jews-who-write-in-both-the-jewish-and-american-general/) [Norman Podhoretz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-podhoretz/) > [In addition to sponsoring the Defend Israel Act, I am a proud co-sponsor of the Israel Anti-Boycott Act, which will protect the state of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacky-rosen/in-addition-to-sponsoring-the-defend-israel-act-i-am-a-proud-co/) [Jacky Rosen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacky-rosen/) > [We certainly will help defend Israel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lloyd-austin/we-certainly-will-help-defend-israel/) [Lloyd Austin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lloyd-austin/) > [For a country constantly threatened by missiles, rockets and mortar shells from terrorist groups like Hezbollah and Hamas, security is not only a gravely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacky-rosen/for-a-country-constantly-threatened-by-missiles-rockets-and-mortar/) [Jacky Rosen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacky-rosen/) > [I'm not trying to defend Israel. 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Bush > [Throughout our history, the words of the Declaration have inspired immigrants from around the world to set sail to our shores. These immigrants have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/throughout-our-history-the-words-of-the-declaration-have-inspired/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [I recognize I am essentially a failed human being in the sense that I can't possibly live up to the expectations of an Almighty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/i-recognize-i-am-essentially-a-failed-human-being-in-the-sense-that-i/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [We will make sure our troops have all that is necessary to complete their missions. That's why I went to the Congress last September…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/we-will-make-sure-our-troops-have-all-that-is-necessary-to-complete/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [God speaks through me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/god-speaks-through-me/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [For diplomacy to be effective, words must be credible - and no one can now doubt the word of America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/for-diplomacy-to-be-effective-words-must-be-credible-and-no-one-can/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [You can fool some of the people all the time, and those are the ones you want to concentrate on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/you-can-fool-some-of-the-people-all-the-time-and-those-are-the-ones/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [If you take all the food aid, America is by far the most generous country. If you take the direct aid, we're very generous.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/if-you-take-all-the-food-aid-america-is-by-far-the-most-generous/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [The tyrant has fallen, and Iraq is free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/the-tyrant-has-fallen-and-iraq-is-free/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [“One of our energy strategies is to increase the CAFE standards to 35 miles per hour..”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/one-of-our-energy-strategies-is-to-increase-the-cafe-standards-to-35/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [There's a lot that I want to accomplish.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/there-s-a-lot-that-i-want-to-accomplish/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [If he's - the inference is that somehow he thinks slavery is a - is a noble institution I would - I would strongly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/if-he-s-the-inference-is-that-somehow-he-thinks-slavery-is-a-is-a/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [My answer is bring 'em on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/my-answer-is-bring-em-on/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [On 9-11, we discovered that we cannot escape from the world. To me personally, this was a life-changing experience, and I realized, as did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/on-9-11-we-discovered-that-we-cannot-escape-from-the-world-to-me/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [As Americans, we want peace - we work and sacrifice for peace. But there can be no peace if our security depends on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/as-americans-we-want-peace-we-work-and-sacrifice-for-peace-but-there/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [I couldn't imagine somebody like Osama bin Laden understanding the joy of Chanukah.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/i-couldn-t-imagine-somebody-like-osama-bin-laden-understanding-the/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) [Explore all 1,717 George W. Bush quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) ## More Be cautious quotes > [Having an eating disorder doesn't show ‘strength.’ Strength is when are able to overcome your demons after being sick and tired for so long.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demi-lovato/having-an-eating-disorder-doesn-t-show-strength-strength-is-when-are/) [Demi Lovato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demi-lovato/) > [Fear and caution are two different things. Be cautious - be conscious - but do not be fearful. Fear only paralyzes, while consciousness mobilizes.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neale-donald-walsch/fear-and-caution-are-two-different-things-be-cautious-be-conscious/) [Neale Donald Walsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neale-donald-walsch/) > [We old roosters must be cautious. Don't try to outwit your arteries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-j-perelman/we-old-roosters-must-be-cautious-don-t-try-to-outwit-your-arteries/) [S. J. Perelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-j-perelman/) > [While business advertises, charity is taught to beg. While business motivates with a dollar, charity is told to motivate with guilt. While business takes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-pallotta/while-business-advertises-charity-is-taught-to-beg-while-business/) [Dan Pallotta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-pallotta/) > [Be cautious and bold.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-rothschild-3rd-baron-rothschild/be-cautious-and-bold/) [Victor Rothschild, 3rd Baron Rothschild](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-rothschild-3rd-baron-rothschild/) > [If you care about your personal liberty, you'll be cautious when you feel comfortable, blame all the illegal immigrants for everything. What you need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-paul/if-you-care-about-your-personal-liberty-you-ll-be-cautious-when-you/) [Ron Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-paul/) > [As a scientist I cannot say we don't want to hear anything about GMOs, because these are advances in science. But I think its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wangari-maathai/as-a-scientist-i-cannot-say-we-don-t-want-to-hear-anything-about-gmos/) [Wangari Maathai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wangari-maathai/) > [Cautious, careful people, always casting about to preserve their reputation and social standing, never can bring about a reform. Those who are really in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-b-anthony/cautious-careful-people-always-casting-about-to-preserve-their/) [Susan B. Anthony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-b-anthony/) > [Let us be cautious in making assertions and critical in examining them, but tolerant in permitting linguistic forms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudolf-carnap/let-us-be-cautious-in-making-assertions-and-critical-in-examining/) [Rudolf Carnap](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudolf-carnap/) > [Be cautious, but not too cautious; do not be too much afraid of making a mistake; a man who never makes a mistake will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/be-cautious-but-not-too-cautious-do-not-be-too-much-afraid-of-making/) [John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/) > [One has to be cautious and respectful of the power of the "substance" guides. I don't advocate imbibing the "little saint children," as Maria…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-waldman/one-has-to-be-cautious-and-respectful-of-the-power-of-the-substance/) [Anne Waldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-waldman/) > [Mothers have the huge influence, and I feel like they're always teaching us from the day we're born what to be afraid of, what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/mothers-have-the-huge-influence-and-i-feel-like-they-re-always/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [To be cautious, one should not take high confidence as any absolute guarantee of anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-loftus/to-be-cautious-one-should-not-take-high-confidence-as-any-absolute/) [Elizabeth Loftus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-loftus/) > [Some people swear you intentionally to get a reaction from you that would serve their cause. Be cautious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mufti-ismail-menk/some-people-swear-you-intentionally-to-get-a-reaction-from-you-that/) [Mufti Ismail Menk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mufti-ismail-menk/) > [ FDR, JFK, LBJ \[all Democratic presidents \] we have a pretty long list of presidents who maybe were not entirely forthcoming with intelligence information… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/fdr-jfk-lbj-all-democratic-presidents-we-have-a-pretty-long-list-of/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) [Browse all 67 Be cautious quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/be-cautious/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "From the beginning, I said that Israel, one, has a right to defend herself, but Israel ought to be cautious about how she defends herself. Israel's a democratically elected government. They make decisions on their own sovereignty. 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