Ehud Barak Quotes

Powerful Ehud Barak for Daily Growth

About Ehud Barak

Ehud Barak, born on February 12, 1942, in Kibbutz Mishmar HaEmek, Israel, is a renowned Israeli military leader, politician, and author. He served as the Prime Minister of Israel from 1999 to 2001 and was the tenth Chief of General Staff (CGS) of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Barak joined the IDF in 1963 and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a company commander at the age of 21. His military career peaked when he was appointed CGS in 1995, a position he held until his resignation in 1998. As CGS, Barak oversaw the successful withdrawal from Lebanon in May 2000. His political career began in earnest after resigning from the military. In 1996, he co-founded the One Israel (Ehad Ha'olam) party, which later merged with other parties to form the Center-Left Labor Party. He was elected Prime Minister in May 1999 and served until his resignation in October 2001. As a writer, Barak has authored several books, including "My Country, My Life" (2007), which provides insight into his personal life and political career. His works often reflect his perspective on Israel's security, the peace process, and the role of military leadership in politics. Barak's life and work have been greatly influenced by his military background and his commitment to Israel's security. His quotes often reflect these influences, such as "In Israel, the left is not against security; it is for a different kind of security." His legacy continues to shape Israeli politics and military strategy.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"In order to make peace, you don't have to have an enemy."

This quote by Ehud Barak suggests that the pursuit of peace is not contingent on the existence of an adversary. Instead, it implies that peace can be achieved through understanding, dialogue, and mutual respect without relying on conflict or hostility as a catalyst. The absence of an enemy doesn't mean there are no differences or challenges to address, but rather that solutions can be sought through cooperation and compromise. In essence, Barak is advocating for the power of diplomacy over confrontation in fostering lasting peace between nations.


"Peace is not just the absence of war, it is a positive concept that implies social justice, economic development and mutual respect between nations and cultures."

This quote by Ehud Barack suggests that peace is more than just the absence of conflict or war. It encompasses the presence of harmony, fairness, progress, and mutual understanding among nations and cultures. Peace, in his view, requires not only cessation of hostilities but also the promotion of social justice, economic development, and respect for diversity. This vision emphasizes that peace should be a state where everyone benefits, thrives, and lives with dignity.


"Sometimes the most effective weapon is not a weapon at all; it is negotiation, compromise and dialogue."

Ehud Barak's quote emphasizes the power of diplomacy, negotiation, compromise, and dialogue as effective strategies in conflict resolution. Rather than relying solely on force or weapons, he suggests that understanding, communication, and cooperation can often be more impactful in achieving desired outcomes. This perspective underscores the importance of peaceful resolutions and mutual understanding in maintaining peace and stability.


"The only thing that can kill terrorism is a better quality of life."

This quote by Ehud Barak suggests that improving the overall quality of life for individuals, particularly in regions plagued by terrorism, is a key strategy to combat terrorism effectively. By addressing issues such as poverty, education, healthcare, and social inequality, it's possible to reduce feelings of desperation, disillusionment, and anger that can drive people towards extremist or terrorist groups. A focus on improving quality of life provides a positive alternative to the destructive path of terrorism. Essentially, Barak argues that peace, stability, and prosperity are more effective at defeating terrorism than military force alone.


"I think it's very important to be flexible, adaptable, ready to change your mind when you find out more information or when new evidence emerges."

This quote by Ehud Barak emphasizes the importance of being open-minded and willing to adjust one's perspective in response to new information or evidence. It underscores the value of flexibility, adaptability, and a readiness to learn and grow in the face of changing circumstances, making it applicable not just in political decision-making but in all areas of life where continuous learning and growth are essential for personal and collective success.


I'm such a failed politician that all of my rivals have disappeared, on both sides.

- Ehud Barak

Both Sides, Politician, Rivals

There is a thin line between peace of the brave and peace of the hostage... between compromise - even calculated risk - and irresponsibility and capitulation.

- Ehud Barak

Line, Capitulation, Hostage, Compromise

Try to think for your own why the Russians and the Chinese do not like the idea that whoever takes aggressive steps to keep order within his sovereign borders should not accept others to intervene physically.

- Ehud Barak

Think, Like, Russians, Intervene

I don't do anything to impress anyone, quite successfully I can tell you.

- Ehud Barak

Tell, Successfully, Anyone, Impress

With the globalization, it's difficult for governments to impose decisions on private companies.

- Ehud Barak

Impose, Private, Companies, Decisions

If you establish a right unity government, you create an effective platform to make... decisions because you have wider support of your own party.

- Ehud Barak

Own, Right, Wider, Decisions

The aim of the Palestinian terror is not just to kill Israelis but also to break the will of Israeli society in order to dictate a political solution. Israel should never yield to this terror campaign.

- Ehud Barak

Aim, Break, Terror, Dictate

Sometimes you have to subordinate strategic considerations to tactical needs.

- Ehud Barak

Sometimes, Needs, Strategic, Subordinate

Saddam Hussein has set an example of defiance, especially against the first President Bush, that other Arab leaders cannot and should not emulate; the example leads only to empty gestures and developmental stagnation, both of which the Arab nations have had enough of already.

- Ehud Barak

Other, Developmental, Stagnation

Israel is much more effective when the Israelis are convinced that we are on the moral high ground: that we are acting not just out of might, but also out of right.

- Ehud Barak

More, Might, Also, Israelis

Israel will continue to act proactively to prevent the transfer of heavy missiles or advanced air defense systems from Syria to Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, which, of course, carries the risk of a military showdown.

- Ehud Barak

Will, Southern, Which, Lebanon

I don't think that the Iranians, even if they got the bomb, they're going to drop it immediately on some neighbor. They fully understand what might follow. They're radical, but not total mishuginas.

- Ehud Barak

Think, Drop, Some, Iranians

I believe President Obama means everything he says about sticking to the unprecedented backing of Israel and keeping all options on the table against Tehran, as well as countering its adventures in Syria, Yemen, and Iraq.

- Ehud Barak

Against, About, Obama, Yemen

I delivered lectures, and I was also a consultant for international companies in finance, both private equity and big venture capital funds.

- Ehud Barak

Big, Private, Capital, Lectures

When you launch a surgical operation, you must already be well deployed to follow it through with larger forces. That complicates matters: you need to be ready for a full-fledged campaign on the operational level and have the diplomatic backing lined up as well.

- Ehud Barak

Through, Larger, Deployed, Lined

I am the Israeli leader who met most with Arafat.

- Ehud Barak

I Am, Leader, Most, Arafat

I cannot penetrate the soul of Arafat. I cannot know in advance whether, behind all the masks, he's the kind of leader who can reach an agreement or whether he wants to be the Moses of the Palestinians, staying in front of the river and not crossing into the promised land.

- Ehud Barak

Leader, Soul, Behind, Arafat

Israel always has a special filter to look at things, and that is the attitude toward Jews.

- Ehud Barak

Special, Always, Toward, Filter

Israel is the strongest nation in the Middle East, but we have to apply our strength wisely.

- Ehud Barak

Middle East, Middle, East, Wisely

I'm not a tycoon or anything like that. Does my property amount to several million dollars? Of course it does.

- Ehud Barak

Like, Amount, Several, Million Dollars

The Syrian rebels, weakened by infighting, have also been victims of the growing rift between the U.S. and its closest Arab allies.

- Ehud Barak

Been, Also, Rift, Closest

You can easily justify to anyone about the need to keep supporting Israel. We get very generous support. We need it.

- Ehud Barak

Need, Very, About, Supporting

The Labor party under my leadership is working to bring the Israeli people together from all nationalities in the spirit of the scroll of independence.

- Ehud Barak

Independence, Spirit, Bring, Scroll

A strong, responsible Israel can become a stabilizer in such a turbulent region.

- Ehud Barak

Strong, Responsible, Israel, Turbulent

Toward the Palestinians, Israel can only give. But when dealing with the entire Arab world, Israel can get a lot.

- Ehud Barak

Give, Dealing, Palestinians, Arab World

In Israel, there is a peace camp that can convene 200,000 people in central square of this city, on very short notice, and there is a major movement among academics, politicians, thinkers, and public leaders for peace, even at a painful price. On the Palestinian side, you can find them individually here and there, but there is no public movement.

- Ehud Barak

City, Here, Very, Camp

Iran poses the most serious long-term threat to regional stability.

- Ehud Barak

Most, Regional, Iran, Stability

Since the Six-Day War, the whole world, which is the real arena of battle between us and the Palestinians, believes that Israel is right in regard to procedure, namely problems and disputes should be solved around the negotiating table.

- Ehud Barak

Solved, Whole, Arena, Disputes

The Palestinian Authority cannot hold the stick at both ends: to incite violence, to participate in it, and to tell the world how - what kind of underdog they are.

- Ehud Barak

Underdog, Kind, Participate, Incite

Who can guarantee that if we allow the Palestinians to establish a state, we won't find rockets there as well, half a mile from the airport or 10 miles from Tel Aviv?

- Ehud Barak

Allow, Half, Mile, Establish

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