Arafat rejected the deal because, as a dictator who had directed all his energies toward strengthening the Palestinians hatred toward Israel, Arafat could not afford to make peace.

Quote by Natan Sharansky

Topics: Natan Sharansky Quotes

It is important to remember that some of the most serious thinkers once thought that...

It is important to remember that some of the most serious thinkers once thought that...

To understand why dictators have a problem with making peace - or at least a...

To understand why dictators have a problem with making peace - or at least a...

The two most important things that can be done to promote democracy in the world...

The two most important things that can be done to promote democracy in the world...

By focusing once and for all on helping the Palestinians build a free society, I...

By focusing once and for all on helping the Palestinians build a free society, I...

Just as the 99% of Soviet citizens who supported the Soviet regime in 1985 was...

Just as the 99% of Soviet citizens who supported the Soviet regime in 1985 was...

My optimism is not based primarily on the successful march of democracy in recent times...

My optimism is not based primarily on the successful march of democracy in recent times...

Japan is not a Western democracy. The Japanese have kept their traditions, culture and heritage,...

Japan is not a Western democracy. The Japanese have kept their traditions, culture and heritage,...

Democratic leaders, whose power is ultimately dependent on popular support, are held accountable for failing...

Democratic leaders, whose power is ultimately dependent on popular support, are held accountable for failing...

I was inspired to write this book by those who are sceptical of the power...

I was inspired to write this book by those who are sceptical of the power...

There were no dissidents then in the USSR because they were all killed.

There were no dissidents then in the USSR because they were all killed.

Free societies are societies in which the right of dissent is protected.

Free societies are societies in which the right of dissent is protected.

Non-democratic regimes always need to mobilize their people against external enemies in order to maintain...

Non-democratic regimes always need to mobilize their people against external enemies in order to maintain...

The central premise behind Oslo was that if Arafat were given enough legitimacy, territory, weapons...

The central premise behind Oslo was that if Arafat were given enough legitimacy, territory, weapons...

When we are unwilling to draw clear moral lines between free societies and fear societies,...

When we are unwilling to draw clear moral lines between free societies and fear societies,...

Will dissent be permitted? The answer to that question will determine whether the society is...

Will dissent be permitted? The answer to that question will determine whether the society is...

I am optimistic that peace can be achieved in the region because I believe that...

I am optimistic that peace can be achieved in the region because I believe that...

By helping readers understand these mechanics, I hope they will appreciate why freedom is for...

By helping readers understand these mechanics, I hope they will appreciate why freedom is for...

The message of the free world to any potential Palestinian leadership should be a simple...

The message of the free world to any potential Palestinian leadership should be a simple...

People may believe that there can be a society where dissent is not permitted, but...

People may believe that there can be a society where dissent is not permitted, but...

This scepticism is the same scepticism I heard a generation ago in the USSR when...

This scepticism is the same scepticism I heard a generation ago in the USSR when...