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Tom Segev Biography

Historian

Tom Segev, born on March 1, 1945, is an Israeli historian known for his research on Jewish history and Israeli politics. His work is particularly renowned for its in-depth exploration of the early history of the State of Israel.

Related Quotes

“That's a deep change in priorities. People are much less political today. They have found other values of life. We are developing normal attitudes, a normal set of priorities. We are growing out of our childhood.”

People Today Political Values Found Attitude Growing Childhood Normal Our Children Priorities Developing Value Of Life

Author:Tom Segev

“Ever since our country came into existence, we have always assumed that we are better than the Arabs. But we are noticing that these are no longer backward people. Suddenly we are confronted with a new situation - the fact that the Arab world maybe thinks just as democratically as we do, perhaps even more democratically. Where does this leave us? After all, we're supposed to be the only democracy in the Middle East!”

People Thinking World Doe Country Facts Existence Situation Democracy Middle East Our Country Supposed To Be Middle East Noticing Arab World New Situations Democracy In The Middle East

Author:Tom Segev

“While we see democracy coming to the Arab world, democracy is getting weaker in Israel. Democracy is in jeopardy in Israel, and this threat is greater than the external threat.”

World Democracy Greater Threat Israel Jeopardy Arab World

Author:Tom Segev

“Like most Israelis, I know very little about the Arabs. We just look down on them and see them as a threat. We have absolutely no experience with a democratic country in our vicinity. Is it good or bad for us? I am convinced that democracy isn't just good for the people in those countries, but for Israel as well.”

People Knows Wells Looks Littles Country Democracy Threat Democratic Israel Convinced Vicinity Democratic Country

Author:Tom Segev

“Don't forget that the peace treaties with Egypt and later with Jordan have already survived several tests: two wars with Lebanon, two Palestinian uprisings, the attack on Gaza, the murder of Egyptian President Anwar Sadat.”

Two War President Forget Tests Murder Palestinian Survived Egypt Jordan Treaties Egyptian Gaza Uprising Lebanon Peace Treaties Sadat

Author:Tom Segev

“I thought it was interesting to see that Israel did not play a role in this revolution. The man on Cairo's Tahrir Square doesn't want anything from me, but he does want something from his government. That's a good sign.”

Men Want Doe Play Government Interesting Roles He Man Revolution Israel Squares Want Something Cairo Tahrir Square

Author:Tom Segev

“We (Israelis) always think that we're at the center of everything. It's true that we didn't make peace with Egypt and Jordan, but with two men, President Sadat and King Hussein. It is possible that we will have to restructure the peace and our relations (so that they are) between one people and another.”

People Thinking Men Two President Kings Relation Egypt Hussein Jordan Making Peace Restructure Sadat

Author:Tom Segev

“We could have made peace with Syrian dictator Bashar Assad a long time ago. It didn't happen, because Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu doesn't want to give up the Golan (Heights).”

Want Giving Long Made Happens Giving Up Long Time Ministers Height Prime Dictator Prime Minister Long Time Ago Assad

Author:Tom Segev

“If the region truly becomes democratic, an undemocratic bit of earth would remain here. It's hard to imagine that the world, especially the Arab world, would tolerate this.”

Ifs World Hard Earth Bits Imagine Democratic Regions Imagine That Tolerate Arab World

Author:Tom Segev

“Netanyahu adheres to his old position: He doesn't want a Palestinian state, and he doesn't want to give up the settlements and the occupied territories. Pressure from abroad is the only way to change anything.”

Way Want Giving States Position Giving Up Pressure Territory Palestinian Settlement

Author:Tom Segev

“I hope that the Palestinians don't make the mistake of unleashing a new intifada. They've tried it twice before, and the consequences were bad for both sides. But I don't think the forces are there (that could carry out) an uprising against the leadership. The people that could initiate it are in Israeli prisons. And what could they hope to achieve? In the end, they're too weak to end the Israeli occupation.”

People Thinking Ends Force Sides Mistake Achieve Consequence Weak Prison Occupation Palestinian Both Sides Israeli Uprising Initiate Unleashing Israeli Occupation

Author:Tom Segev

“If the corrupt Jordanian monarchy were overthrown, it would be the ideal opportunity to solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, because the West Bank and Jordan could then be united. There is already a Palestinian majority in Jordan, and there is enough room for everyone there. That would be the best revolution I could imagine.”

Ifs Enough Would Be Opportunity United Rooms Imagine Revolution Conflict Ideals Majority West Solve Being The Best Palestinian Israeli Monarchy Jordan Israeli Palestinian Conflict

Author:Tom Segev

“The saving of the Jews in Europe did not figure at the head of the list of priorities of the ruling class. It was the foundation of the State which was primordial in their eyes.”

States Eye Class Figures Europe Foundation Jew Lists Priorities Saving Ruling

Author:Tom Segev

About the Author

Born: March 1, 1945
Known for: Historian
Quotes: 13

Books & Sources

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