The central premise behind Oslo was that if Arafat were given enough legitimacy, territory, weapons and money, he would use his power to fight terror and make peace with Israel.

Quote by Natan Sharansky

Topics: Natan Sharansky Quotes

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...

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...

Only weeks after Oslo began, when nearly all the world and most of Israel was...

Only weeks after Oslo began, when nearly all the world and most of Israel was...

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

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

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...

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,...

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...

Can someone within that society walk into the town square and say what they want...

Can someone within that society walk into the town square and say what they want...

It is not surprising, then, that in the decade since Oslo began, Arafat used all...

It is not surprising, then, that in the decade since Oslo began, Arafat used all...

Believe me, the drug of freedom is universally potent.

Believe me, the drug of freedom is universally potent.

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...

In contrast, fear societies are societies in which dissent is banned.

In contrast, fear societies are societies in which dissent is banned.

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...

Unfortunately, little attention was paid to how Arafat ruled. In fact, some saw the harsh...

Unfortunately, little attention was paid to how Arafat ruled. In fact, some saw the harsh...

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...

On the other hand, if the free world is concerned with how a new Palestinian...

On the other hand, if the free world is concerned with how a new Palestinian...

I have no doubt that given a real choice, the vast majority of Muslims and...

I have no doubt that given a real choice, the vast majority of Muslims and...

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...

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.

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...