--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The fact is that you literally, by…" description: "\"The fact is that you literally, by definition, cannot have a Jewish state and a democratic state and have a whole bunch of Palestinians in it who are l..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c1f/john-f-kerry-996_bunch_the-fact-is-that-you-literally-by-defini_242938.png" --- # The fact is that you literally, by definition, cannot have… ![“The fact is that you literally, by definition, cannot have a Jewish state and a democratic state and have a whole bunch of Palestinians in it who are living under military rule while the rest of the country is living under civil rule, and they have different rights and different - it's just not a…” quote by John F. Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c1f/john-f-kerry-996_bunch_the-fact-is-that-you-literally-by-defini_242938.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c1f/john-f-kerry-996_bunch_the-fact-is-that-you-literally-by-defini_242938.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c1f/john-f-kerry-996_bunch_the-fact-is-that-you-literally-by-defini_242938.png) > “The fact is that you literally, by definition, cannot have a Jewish state and a democratic state and have a whole bunch of Palestinians in it who are living under military rule while the rest of the country is living under civil rule, and they have different rights and different - it's just not a democracy.” [John F. Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kerry/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A Jewish state cannot simultaneously be fully democratic while maintaining military rule over Palestinians, creating unequal rights. **In simple terms:** Democracy and military rule conflict in Israel/Palestine. Key Takeaway Recognize the tension between national identity and democratic principles. Themes democracy rights conflict nationhood equality Mood thoughtful concerned analytical Type political philosophical When to use this quote - policy debate - human rights advocacy - peace negotiations - international law - civil society activism Key Concepts citizenship legal pluralism political legitimacy Questions to Reflect On - How can a state ensure security without compromising democratic equality? - What models exist for inclusive governance in divided societies? A Different Perspective Balancing security concerns with equal rights is complex and often politically charged. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Israel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/israel/) [Jewish state](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jewish-state/) [Judaism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/judaism/) [Military](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/military/) [Palestinian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/palestinian/) [Rights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rights/) ## Related quotes > [We cannot keep the Jewish state without being a democratic state.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reuven-rivlin/we-cannot-keep-the-jewish-state-without-being-a-democratic-state/) [Reuven Rivlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reuven-rivlin/) > [Men and women have roles - their roles are different, but their rights are equal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harri-holkeri/men-and-women-have-roles-their-roles-are-different-but-their-rights/) [Harri Holkeri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harri-holkeri/) > [Human rights in cyberspace are really no different from rights in the physical world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-mackinnon/human-rights-in-cyberspace-are-really-no-different-from-rights-in-the/) [Rebecca MacKinnon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-mackinnon/) > [Gaza has 1.2 million Palestinians living in crowded places and the resistance will be strong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ahmed-yassin/gaza-has-1-2-million-palestinians-living-in-crowded-places-and-the/) [Ahmed Yassin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ahmed-yassin/) > [Doesn't the world see the suffering of millions of Palestinians who have been living in exile around the world or in refugee camps for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ismail-haniyeh/doesn-t-the-world-see-the-suffering-of-millions-of-palestinians-who/) [Ismail Haniyeh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ismail-haniyeh/) > [In England, even the poorest of people believe that they have rights; that is very different from what satisfies the poor in other lands.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-heffer/in-england-even-the-poorest-of-people-believe-that-they-have-rights/) [Simon Heffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-heffer/) > [I've spent a lot of time in America since Sept. 11, 2001. 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