Quotes from Ehud Barak

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

I hope any government formed in Egypt will understand there is no choice but to maintain the framework of international agreements, which include the peace agreement with Israel.

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.

If Israel does not find the way to disengage from the Palestinians, its future might resemble the experience of Belfast or Bosnia - two communities bleeding each other to death for generations.

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

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.

I will not discuss future hypothetical situations.

I think first of all that Iran is a problem for the whole world.

I am the Israeli leader who met most with Arafat.

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.

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

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.

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.

The Palestinians are like crocodiles, the more you give them meat, they want more.

The Left is acting like a young child, saying 'I want peace'... A child says 'I want candy right away,' an adult takes all of the factors into account and understands who he's dealing with.

It's the role of a government to defend its soldiers and its citizens.

Israel fits into the zeitgeist of our era. It is true that there are demographic threats to its existence. That is why a separation from the Palestinians is a compelling imperative.

To think that you can - as a Zionist, Jewish independent state at the end of the 20th century - rule over another people for generations without having any consequences - it's ridiculous.

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

International legitimacy is a fundamental source of power for Israel nowadays.

I'm in the government to make sure that if there's an opportunity to make peace, it won't be missed.

I don't hate people. I just accept missions.

We are living in an open world. There is a freedom of speech and, clearly, freedom of speculation.

One of the lessons learned in the Middle East is to never try to anticipate the other side's moves.