--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There is a conflict in the Middle East…" description: "\"There is a conflict in the Middle East between two entities, and they're both right, each in their own way.\" — Reuven Rivlin" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b91/reuven-rivlin-5136_conflict_there-is-a-conflict-in-the-middle-east-b_2958.png" --- # There is a conflict in the Middle East between two… ![“There is a conflict in the Middle East between two entities, and they're both right, each in their own way.” quote by Reuven Rivlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b91/reuven-rivlin-5136_conflict_there-is-a-conflict-in-the-middle-east-b_2958.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b91/reuven-rivlin-5136_conflict_there-is-a-conflict-in-the-middle-east-b_2958.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b91/reuven-rivlin-5136_conflict_there-is-a-conflict-in-the-middle-east-b_2958.png) > “There is a conflict in the Middle East between two entities, and they're both right, each in their own way.” [Reuven Rivlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reuven-rivlin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Acknowledges that both sides in a regional dispute have legitimate grievances, implying moral complexity beyond binary judgments. **In simple terms:** Moral complexity Key Takeaway Both sides have merit Themes conflict dual legitimacy ethical ambiguity political nuance regional dynamics Mood thoughtful balanced cautious Type political ethical analytical When to use this quote - mediating peace talks - teaching conflict resolution - writing op‑eds - policy analysis - educational curricula Key Concepts Middle East entities rightness perspective Practical Applications - facilitating dialogue workshops - drafting balanced reports Questions to Reflect On - How can we move from recognizing rights to actionable compromise? - What criteria decide when a 'right' claim becomes harmful? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Conflict](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conflict/) [Israel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/israel/) [Middle east](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/middle-east/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ## Related quotes > [The conflict in the Middle East is complex, multi-faceted, and unlikely to be resolved anytime soon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-meadows/the-conflict-in-the-middle-east-is-complex-multi-faceted-and-unlikely/) [Mark Meadows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-meadows/) > [All over the Middle East, we face difficult challenges: the ongoing tragedy in Syria, the instability in Iraq, and the jihadist terrorism which dares…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reuven-rivlin/all-over-the-middle-east-we-face-difficult-challenges-the-ongoing/) [Reuven Rivlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reuven-rivlin/) > [There are no short cuts, no detours in the Middle East.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reuven-rivlin/there-are-no-short-cuts-no-detours-in-the-middle-east/) [Reuven Rivlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reuven-rivlin/) > [The consequence could be that we would have an escalation that would take place that would not only involve many lives, but I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leon-panetta/the-consequence-could-be-that-we-would-have-an-escalation-that-would/) [Leon Panetta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leon-panetta/) > [Public interest in most of the Middle East was slight at that time; the Arab-Israeli conflict was all that people were interested in and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juan-cole/public-interest-in-most-of-the-middle-east-was-slight-at-that-time/) [Juan Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juan-cole/) > [Certainly, protecting oppressed people, stopping ethnic conflict and promoting responsible governance are worthy goals. But none is as important for American security and prosperity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-mandelbaum/certainly-protecting-oppressed-people-stopping-ethnic-conflict-and/) [Michael Mandelbaum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-mandelbaum/) > [“I believe that people are holy because they’re made in the image of God, and a place can be holy when God is present—but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jared-brock/i-believe-that-people-are-holy-because-they-re-made-in-the-image-of/) [Jared Brock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jared-brock/) > [We're in more wars today under Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton than under George W. Bush or Ronald Reagan. Yet they tell you that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/we-re-in-more-wars-today-under-barack-obama-and-hillary-clinton-than/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [We face a brutal enemy who will kill the innocent for one purpose and that is to gain control of the Middle East and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-rove/we-face-a-brutal-enemy-who-will-kill-the-innocent-for-one-purpose-and/) [Karl Rove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-rove/) > [One of those blocks (that prevent the 'Middle East from entering the mainstream of modernity') is the orthodox tenet that the Koran and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-beichman/one-of-those-blocks-that-prevent-the-middle-east-from-entering-the/) [Arnold Beichman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-beichman/) > [I look at what's happening around the world and I see Iran four years closer to a bomb. I see the Middle East with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitt-romney/i-look-at-what-s-happening-around-the-world-and-i-see-iran-four-years/) [Mitt Romney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitt-romney/) > [These fledgling democracies in the Middle East, they're actually fighting for their freedom. And what are they rioting for in England? Leisurewear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noel-gallagher/these-fledgling-democracies-in-the-middle-east-they-re-actually/) [Noel Gallagher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noel-gallagher/) > [You don't know whether he's thought through how this is going to affect the Middle East.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-matthews/you-don-t-know-whether-he-s-thought-through-how-this-is-going-to/) [Chris Matthews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-matthews/) > [On the McLaughlin Report, August 26, 1990: 'There are only two groups that are beating the drums for war in the middle East, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-buchanan/on-the-mclaughlin-report-august-26-1990-there-are-only-two-groups/) [Pat Buchanan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-buchanan/) > [You have expressive nationalism, I mean very identity driven, which shaped each other a lot of that in the Middle East.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/subrahmanyam-jaishankar/you-have-expressive-nationalism-i-mean-very-identity-driven-which/) [Subrahmanyam Jaishankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/subrahmanyam-jaishankar/) ## More by Reuven Rivlin > [What happens in one region affects people across the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reuven-rivlin/what-happens-in-one-region-affects-people-across-the-world/) [Reuven Rivlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reuven-rivlin/) > [Conflicts, even just ones, which in the end can come at the expense of the State of Israel, are things that we must be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reuven-rivlin/conflicts-even-just-ones-which-in-the-end-can-come-at-the-expense-of/) [Reuven Rivlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reuven-rivlin/) > [Arik is suffused with a mystical belief about Jerusalem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reuven-rivlin/arik-is-suffused-with-a-mystical-belief-about-jerusalem/) [Reuven Rivlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reuven-rivlin/) > [Direct talks is the only possible way to build trust and to resolve the conditions for a peace perspective between Palestinians and Israelis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reuven-rivlin/direct-talks-is-the-only-possible-way-to-build-trust-and-to-resolve/) [Reuven Rivlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reuven-rivlin/) > [There are no short cuts, no detours in the Middle East.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reuven-rivlin/there-are-no-short-cuts-no-detours-in-the-middle-east/) [Reuven Rivlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reuven-rivlin/) > [There is no consensus in Israel regarding the two-state formula. We will not, under any circumstances, allow the establishment of a neighboring state that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reuven-rivlin/there-is-no-consensus-in-israel-regarding-the-two-state-formula-we/) [Reuven Rivlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reuven-rivlin/) > [To come and say about me that I'm destroying Israel, that I hate Israel, that's a bit insulting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reuven-rivlin/to-come-and-say-about-me-that-i-m-destroying-israel-that-i-hate/) [Reuven Rivlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reuven-rivlin/) > [The ability of the president to be perceived as someone with whom all Israelis can identify depends on his ability to avoid being a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reuven-rivlin/the-ability-of-the-president-to-be-perceived-as-someone-with-whom-all/) [Reuven Rivlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reuven-rivlin/) > [Everyone needs to understand that we were meant to live together in this country. We have to get to know one another; even if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reuven-rivlin/everyone-needs-to-understand-that-we-were-meant-to-live-together-in/) [Reuven Rivlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reuven-rivlin/) > [All over the Middle East, we face difficult challenges: the ongoing tragedy in Syria, the instability in Iraq, and the jihadist terrorism which dares…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reuven-rivlin/all-over-the-middle-east-we-face-difficult-challenges-the-ongoing/) [Reuven Rivlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reuven-rivlin/) > [Peres came with a worldview. I also came with a worldview that I have not abandoned and that guides me still.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reuven-rivlin/peres-came-with-a-worldview-i-also-came-with-a-worldview-that-i-have/) [Reuven Rivlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reuven-rivlin/) > [Jewish and Arab neighborhoods in Jerusalem are interlaced one with the other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reuven-rivlin/jewish-and-arab-neighborhoods-in-jerusalem-are-interlaced-one-with/) [Reuven Rivlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reuven-rivlin/) > [In the end, Arik believes in security above all and is a salient pragmatist, a disciple of Ben-Gurion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reuven-rivlin/in-the-end-arik-believes-in-security-above-all-and-is-a-salient/) [Reuven Rivlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reuven-rivlin/) > [Whereas, in the personal realm, Sharon is a very sensitive person whose eyes often grow moist, in the national realm, he is entirely without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reuven-rivlin/whereas-in-the-personal-realm-sharon-is-a-very-sensitive-person-whose/) [Reuven Rivlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reuven-rivlin/) > [I hereby swear, in my name and that of all our descendants, that we will never act against the principle of equal rights, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reuven-rivlin/i-hereby-swear-in-my-name-and-that-of-all-our-descendants-that-we/) [Reuven Rivlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reuven-rivlin/) [Explore all 103 Reuven Rivlin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reuven-rivlin/) ## More Conflict quotes > [The history of mankind interests us only as it exhibits a steady gain of truth and right, in the incessant conflict which it records…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-history-of-mankind-interests-us-only-as-it-exhibits-a-steady-gain/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [The U.S.-Mexican border es un herida abierta where the Third World grates against the first and bleeds. And before a scab forms it hemorrhages…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-e-anzald-a/the-u-s-mexican-border-es-un-herida-abierta-where-the-third-world/) [Gloria E. Anzaldúa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-e-anzald-a/) > [Conflict isn't negative, it just is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-crum/conflict-isn-t-negative-it-just-is/) [Thomas Crum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-crum/) > [I have lived in countries that were coming out of conflict: Ireland, South Africa, the Czech republic. People there are overflowing with energy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-eno/i-have-lived-in-countries-that-were-coming-out-of-conflict-ireland/) [Brian Eno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-eno/) > [Africa, being the major target of colonial plunder, therefore becomes a major source of conflict.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-horne/africa-being-the-major-target-of-colonial-plunder-therefore-becomes-a/) [Gerald Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-horne/) > [All drama is conflict. Without conflict, there is no action. Without action, there is no character. Without character, there is no story. And without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/syd-field/all-drama-is-conflict-without-conflict-there-is-no-action-without/) [Syd Field](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/syd-field/) > [The irrepressible conflict propounded by abolitionism has produced now its legitimate fruits - disunion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-irrepressible-conflict-propounded-by-abolitionism-has-produced/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“These are all good things, I said. But no one knows where your country is or who you are. You don't have a familiar…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-shteyngart/these-are-all-good-things-i-said-but-no-one-knows-where-your-country/) [Gary Shteyngart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-shteyngart/) > [I understand the formula that producers hire directors and directors are hired to direct and actors are hired to act. I don't have any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-trejo/i-understand-the-formula-that-producers-hire-directors-and-directors/) [Danny Trejo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-trejo/) > [“While there is battle and hatred men have eyes for nothing save the fact that the enemy is the cause of all the troubles;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-butterfield/while-there-is-battle-and-hatred-men-have-eyes-for-nothing-save-the/) [Herbert Butterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-butterfield/) > [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/) > [All men have an instinct for conflict: at least, all healthy men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilaire-belloc/all-men-have-an-instinct-for-conflict-at-least-all-healthy-men/) [Hilaire Belloc](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilaire-belloc/) > [I didnt like the Survivor shows because of the mean-spirited aspect, and women certainly were part of whatever conflict they would create.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-lawrence/i-didnt-like-the-survivor-shows-because-of-the-mean-spirited-aspect/) [Sharon Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-lawrence/) > [“How we traverse the space between us when conflict arises has a profound effect on the health and longevity of our relationships.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/how-we-traverse-the-space-between-us-when-conflict-arises-has-a/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [What a country calls its vital economic interests are not the things which enable its citizens to live, but the things which enable it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-weil/what-a-country-calls-its-vital-economic-interests-are-not-the-things/) [Simone Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-weil/) [Browse all 3,969 Conflict quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conflict/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "There is a conflict in the Middle East between two entities, and they're both right, each in their own way.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Reuven Rivlin" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reuven-rivlin/there-is-a-conflict-in-the-middle-east-between-two-entities-and-they/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Conflict" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reuven-rivlin/there-is-a-conflict-in-the-middle-east-between-two-entities-and-they/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b91/reuven-rivlin-5136_conflict_there-is-a-conflict-in-the-middle-east-b_2958.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b91/reuven-rivlin-5136_conflict_there-is-a-conflict-in-the-middle-east-b_2958.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b91/reuven-rivlin-5136_conflict_there-is-a-conflict-in-the-middle-east-b_2958.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“There is a conflict in the Middle East between two entities, and they're both right, each in their own way.” — Reuven Rivlin", "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": "Reuven Rivlin", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reuven-rivlin/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "There is a conflict in the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reuven-rivlin/there-is-a-conflict-in-the-middle-east-between-two-entities-and-they/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reuven-rivlin/there-is-a-conflict-in-the-middle-east-between-two-entities-and-they/#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 } } ] } ```