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Silvan Shalom Quotes

Powerful Silvan Shalom for Daily Growth

About Silvan Shalom

Silvan Shalom (Hebrew: סילואן שלום; born August 14, 1958) is an Israeli politician who served as a Member of Knesset (MK) for the Likud Party from 1981 to 2017. Born in Haifa, Israel, Shalom was raised in a Zionist family and completed his military service as an officer in the IDF Armored Corps. His political career began early, becoming one of the youngest elected MKs at the age of 22. Shalom is known for his strong nationalist views, advocating for Israeli settlements in the West Bank. He has held several key positions within the Likud Party and the Israeli government. In the Knesset, he served as a Minister without Portfolio (1986-1988), Minister of Housing and Construction (1990-1992), Minister of Foreign Affairs (1995-1996), Minister of Regional Cooperation (1996-1999, 2001-2003), Minister of Finance (1999-2001), and Minister of Interior (2003-2004). Shalom's most significant contributions to Israeli politics include the Oslo II Accord (1995) as part of the Rabin government, and the Disengagement Plan from Gaza in 2005 under Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Despite his strong nationalist stance, he was a key figure in pushing through these controversial agreements that reshaped Israel's relations with the Palestinian territories. Throughout his career, Shalom has been influential in shaping Israeli domestic and foreign policy, particularly in the areas of housing, construction, and regional cooperation. His tenure as Minister of Finance during the late 1990s was marked by austerity measures aimed at reducing the national debt. After leaving politics in 2017, Shalom has focused on public speaking engagements and writing books.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Peace is not just the absence of war, it's the presence of justice."

This quote by Silvan Shalom asserts that peace isn't merely the cessation of armed conflict but the establishment and upholding of justice in society. It implies that true peace requires more than just ending hostilities; it necessitates addressing the underlying issues like inequality, discrimination, and injustice to ensure harmony and balance among people and nations.

"In a real democracy, the government doesn't tell citizens what to think, but listens to them and adjusts its policies accordingly."

This quote by Silvan Shalom emphasizes the fundamental principle of a true democracy - that the role of the government is not to dictate thoughts or beliefs, but rather to listen to and respect the opinions of its citizens. A democratic government should be responsive and adaptable to the needs and wishes of its people, fostering an environment where diverse perspectives can shape policy decisions. The quote highlights the importance of citizen participation in shaping their own governance, ensuring that democracy remains a vibrant, functioning system for all.

"The best way to achieve peace is through dialogue and understanding."

This quote by Silvan Shalom underscores the importance of communication and empathy in resolving conflicts and fostering peaceful coexistence. The idea here is that rather than resorting to violence or force, engaging in open dialogue and making an effort to understand another's perspective can lead to a more harmonious resolution. It highlights the power of diplomacy, compromise, and mutual respect as tools for achieving lasting peace.

"Israel must not be deterred from taking every necessary measure for self-defense."

This quote by Silvan Shalom emphasizes Israel's right to protect itself, asserting that the nation should not be dissuaded from taking all essential defensive measures in response to potential threats or attacks against its security and sovereignty. The quote underscores a universal principle of self-defense, which is recognized globally in international law, yet highlights its significance specifically for Israel in maintaining its safety and stability amidst complex regional dynamics.

"In order to have peace, there must first be a strong and secure state."

This quote by Silvan Shalom suggests that establishing a robust and stable nation is a prerequisite for achieving lasting peace. In other words, a state needs to be strong and secure in its internal governance, economy, military capabilities, and diplomatic relationships before it can effectively pursue and maintain peaceful relations with others.

We have been in the territories since 1967. In 2002, we had sometimes three or four suicide attacks every day. We came to the conclusion that it can't continue like that.

- Silvan Shalom

Every Day, Like, Been, Territories

In 1988, King Hussein of Jordan said that it doesn't take any connection any more to those territories, and he would like to split from those territories. So according to the international law, it doesn't belong to anyone.

- Silvan Shalom

Law, Belong, Hussein, Territories

We have the responsibility to protect our people and that's why we're building this fence. We've suffered from 19,000 terrorist attacks during the last three years.

- Silvan Shalom

Why, Last, Our, Our People

The security fence is reversible. Human lives are irreversible.

- Silvan Shalom

Fence, Security, Lives, Irreversible

Suicide bombers caused us more than 50 percent of our casualties. The fence works. There is a decline in the number of those terrorist attacks against Israelis.

- Silvan Shalom

More, Works, Caused, Israelis

Most of the international community, most of the countries around the world, don't want any side, any party to take unilateral steps. They would like that all of us to stick to the road map.

- Silvan Shalom

Want, Like, Side, Map

The Palestinians are not willing to do anything, they're not willing to make the strategic decision to dismantle the infrastructure of terrorist organizations.

- Silvan Shalom

Decision, Willing, Strategic, Dismantle

The Palestinians will never, never implement their commitment to dismantle their infrastructure of terrorist organizations.

- Silvan Shalom

Never, Will, Infrastructure, Dismantle

In my view, Arafat is the only Palestinian in the world that isn't willing to have an independent Palestinian state.

- Silvan Shalom

World, View, Independent, Arafat

We are not going to damage our safety and our security. We're not going to give those extremists the privilege to come so freely to Israel in order to carry out more attacks against us and kill us one day after another.

- Silvan Shalom

Against, Another, Damage, Freely

We would like to ease the life of the Palestinians. I prepared a new plan that we call a positive agenda.

- Silvan Shalom

New, Ease, Call, Agenda

No one can compare us to the apartheid regime. It's not like in South Africa between the blacks and the whites who belong to the same nation, or in Berlin where you find parents living on the eastern side and their children in the western side.

- Silvan Shalom

Belong, Compare, South, Blacks

We believe that we should come to an agreement with the Palestinians. But we need two to tango.

- Silvan Shalom

Need, Agreement, Should, Tango

There's no preventative measure between the Palestinians, between those terrorists to the state of Israel.

- Silvan Shalom

Measure, Israel, Terrorists, Palestinians

It's not a democracy here, it's the Middle East.

- Silvan Shalom

Middle, Here, East, Middle East

I'd like to ask you: what you would prefer us to do? I'd like to ask my colleagues, would any other country act differently? I think the answer is very clear. No one would act differently.

- Silvan Shalom

Think, Country, Very, Colleagues

Cease-fire is important, but it can last only for a very, very, very short time.

- Silvan Shalom

Important, Last, Very, Short Time

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