Emerging from embattled and humble beginnings, the Jewish state has exceeded all expectations for its success and prosperity.
— Ehud Olmert
If the Gaza ceasefire proves stable, Israel will not remain in the Strip.
Don't fall in love with everything that you may have read and everything that you may have heard from any political leader, including myself.
I have to make sure that I am doing the right thing. I can't afford to make any mistake.
There is an alliance between Israel and the United States, and it has never been stronger than at the time of George W. Bush.
Before I became prime minister, as mayor of Jerusalem, I became world-renowned because of my fight for the unity of Jerusalem.
When it was not very comfortable, politically, for me, I said things which lots of people didn't like, some of them may have liked. I said my beliefs, my truth, and my convictions, and that's how I am going to continue to do in the future.
I'm not in the most comfortable position, but I think my government is very stable, perhaps more stable than any government in modern Israeli history.
Maaele Adumim is part of Israel. Gush Etzion is part of Israel.
Arafat is the greatest instigator of terror.
There is always a human being behind the titles and the status.
Israel has the power to protect itself and its citizens.
I don't expect to be coddled, but I'm also a human being.
For me, Arik Sharon - I remember his courage and inspiration. I want to remember him the way he really was, not as an aging 80-year-old man living in bed helpless and unconscious.
It's a problem sometimes when you speak to journalists. They quote you, and then they read what they wrote, and then they even explain it. It's dangerous.
Saudi Arabia is the country that in the end will determine the ability of the Arabs to reach a compromise with Israel.
Merkel is an amazing woman, very experienced in international politics.
The values of democracy, brotherhood, and freedom that constitute the building blocks of American society are also shared by Israeli society, together with the faith in man's power and ability to change and influence his surroundings.
As long as there are no negotiations with the Palestinians, Israel is and will continue to be in a difficult situation.
Everything that can strengthen Abu Mazen is favourable.
Abu Mazen told me he does not want to change the demographics of Israel.
There is nowhere I encounter greater understanding for Israel's existential issues than in the Oval Office.
The Goldstone Committee was formed in April of 2009, after I was not prime minister. So it was a new political situation.
Israel is prepared for a compromise. The majority of Israelis understand this compromise will be serious, will be meaningful, and will be painful.
I can tell you that if I'd had an opportunity to meet with King Abdullah of the Saudis - which I have not - he would be very surprised to hear what I have to say.
Abu Mazen has got to do only one thing: to fight terror. That's what he needs to do.
We are the greatest experts in the world in criticizing our country, but no one loves his country more than the Israelis. No one.
I always wake up early Saturday morning, and I have a little bit more time, so I go to the gym.
What do you prefer? A prime minister obsessed with being popular, or a prime minister who does the job?
I don't understand this pathetic need for luxuries.
The days that Israel was separated from Europe are gone.
When armed people from Hamas and armed people from Fatah are standing opposite each other, there is more likely to be a confrontation amongst them.
A bloc of states is emerging that understands that they may have been wrong to think that Israel is the world's greatest problem.
I know the war in Iraq is controversial in the States, but for us in the Middle East it has made a great and significant impact.
Barack Obama's journey to the White House has impressed and inspired the entire world.
Mofaz was elected to head Kadima since the party had been shattered.
Palestinians want Israel to return back into boundaries, the width of which is 12 km., that can be cut into pieces within minutes.
Abu Mazen has deprived himself of all the practical authorities of government.
As mayor of Jerusalem, I wanted the government to invest the necessary funds in order to unite the city in an effective manner with full rights for the Palestinians living in Jerusalem, so the world would say, 'Okay, it can work.'
I was not interested in being minister of defense or minister of foreign affairs.
I trust the integrity of the British government and the British soldiers.
I'm not saying it was wrong to intervene in Kosovo.
The situation of any leader in the Middle East is not easy.
I've been mayor of the city of Jerusalem, which is perhaps, in some ways, more complex and more difficult than a ministerial position.
There is no need to get caught up in any apocalyptic prophecies that have no basis in reality.
The newspapers are always reminding the public that I am an unpopular prime minister.
The fundamental interest - long-range strategic interest - of the state of Israel is that we will have the international bodies and primarily the United Nations recognize the two-state solution, so that there will never be any doubt as to the right of Israel to have its own Jewish independent state.
I want to separate from the Palestinians. I want them to have their independent, separate state on a contiguous territory, and I want Israel to exist, of course, as a Jewish state in its own territory, as an independent state in its own territory. The Palestinian state, the Israeli state, separate. This is my dream.
There is no doubt that there is a very strange phenomenon called the 'State Comptroller.'
Politicians are strong to the extent that they are ready to take serious decisions and fight for it.
