Agency Quote by Uri Avnery
“There is the Jewish Agency, which gets a lot of money from the United States, from American Jews, whose sole job it is to create settlements. It enlists people all over the world - especially in Russia, and in the United States, by the way - to come and settle in the Occupied Territories as a kind of religious statement, a kind of nationalist statement: "This is a country given to us by God." A lot of Israelis who do not believe in God believe that God has given us this country.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Uri Avnery on Israeli settlements, 1990s
The quote critiques how financial and ideological support fuels settlement expansion, often invoking religious or nationalist narratives regardless of personal belief.
In simple terms: Money and ideology drive settlements; claims of divine right are used even by non‑believers.
Key Takeaway
Question the motives behind settlement policies.
Themes
politics
nationalism
religion
settlements
ideology
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
political
controversial
When to use this quote
- policy analysis
- activism
- education
- media reporting
- diplomacy
Key Concepts
colonialism
identity politics
geopolitics
Questions to Reflect On
- What alternatives exist to address settlement issues?
- How do narratives shape public support for controversial policies?
A Different Perspective
Settlements persist due to complex political, economic, and cultural forces beyond simple religious justification.
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