Believe Quote by Russ Feingold
“I believe that the Israelis and the Palestinians, by and large, want peace, they each want their own country, and they want to get along, and they are going to get along. I know it sounds unbelievable, but I know enough about this, having been there, that these are sophisticated people. It's not like in Pakistan, where people have been told about Jews for a thousand years but don't know any. The Palestinians know the Jews.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview on Middle East peace, 2015
The speaker argues that both Israelis and Palestinians desire peace and sovereign states, and that personal experience shows they are capable of coexistence despite stereotypes.
In simple terms: Both sides want peace and their own nations, and can live together.
Recognize shared humanity and support dialogue.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- peace negotiations
- community building
- education programs
- media reporting
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can grassroots initiatives bridge mistrust?
- What policies best support mutual recognition?
Optimism may overlook deep political grievances and power imbalances.