"A diplomatic peace is not yet the real peace. It is an essential step in the peace process leading towards a real peace."

"It is not worth the paper it is written on unless it is backed by the kind of force that will make the other side consider the penalties too heavy to break the agreement."

"Israel is no longer a people that dwells alone, and has to join the global journey toward peace, reconciliation and international cooperation."

"No Arab ruler will consider the peace process seriously so long as he is able to toy with the idea of achieving more by the way of violence."

"I would like Israel to be a Jewish state, and therefore not to annex over 2 million Palestinians who live in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip to Israel, which will make Israel a bi-national state."

"We do not celebrate the death of our enemies."

"The world is no longer against us."

"Only the change on the international scene, the crisis in the gulf, and the strong, firm position of the United States against aggression between two Arab countries created realities that led to the Madrid Peace Conference."

"Jerusalem is united, will never be divided again."

"Practically the only way to dry the swamp of radical Islam is through economic development and an improved standard of living."

"The struggle to get weapons is continuous, but the United States will aid us, if it finds Israel displaying a willingness for peace."

"I believe however that peace is attainable regardless of the Arabs mentality, society or government."

"Give peace a chance."

"We must think differently, look at things in a different way. Peace requires a world of new concepts, new definitions."

"Israel has an important principle: It is only Israel that is responsible for our security."

"In the midst of fighting there is no place for public debate."

"Israel's willingness to cooperate closely with the U.S. in protecting American interests in the region altered her image in the eyes of many officials in Washington."

"I enter negotiations with Chairman Arafat, the leader of the PLO, the representative of the Palestinian people, with the purpose to have coexistence between our two entities, Israel as a Jewish state and Palestinian state, entity, next to us, living in peace."

"I am 73 years old. I was born in Jerusalem. I'm the first prime minister of Israel to be born here. I am the only former general to become a prime minister."

"You don't make peace with friends. You make it with very unsavory enemies."

"I believe that in the long run, separation between Israel and the Palestinians is the best solution for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict."

"I believe that it is my responsibility as the prime minister of Israel to do whatever can be done to exploit the unique opportunities that lie ahead of us to move towards peace. Not everything can be done by one act."