“One of the main aims of Sharon is to prevent a Palestinian state - a real, viable, sovereign, free Palestinian state. It has been the major task of his life for the last forty years. What Sharon wants to do is "shorten the lines," in military slang. He wants to give up some positions which are untenable, or which cost too much to keep, and to withdraw to where he wants Israel to be.” WantGivingYearsHas BeensRealStatesLastsLinesToo MuchMilitaryPositionCostGiving UpMajorsTasksAimIsraelFortyPalestinianSovereignSlangSharon Author:Uri Avnery
“Palestinians want a state of their own. They want to live in freedom. They want to get rid of the terrible misery in which they are living. They are ready after fifty years to accept a state of their own in 22 percent of what used to be the country of Palestine. I think it is the height of stupidity on our part if we don't grasp this opportunity.” IfsThinkingWantYearsCountryStatesUsedOpportunityAcceptingReadyTerriblePercentMiseryStupidityUsed To BeHeightFiftyPalestinianPalestine Author:Uri Avnery
“There are lots of signs that average Israelis want peace. But after such a long war - this conflict has been going on now for 120 years - you have a fifth generation being born into it on both sides. Such a conflict creates hatred, fears, stereotypes, and demonizations of the other. It would be an illusion to believe you can put an end to this overnight.” WantYearsBelieveLongHas BeensWarEndsWould BeSidesBornGenerationsConflictIllusionHatredAverageStereotypeBoth SidesFifthBelieve You Can Author:Uri Avnery
“How do we solve the problem by allowing a number of refugees to return to Israel, allowing a number of refugees to return to the Palestinian state, and allowing a number of refugees to settle, with general compensation, where they want to settle? It is not an abstract problem. It involves four million human beings, and more than fifty years of various sorts of misery. But it is not an insolvable problem. It involves some good will, and a readiness to give up historic myths on both sides.” WantGivingYearsHumansStatesProblemSidesHuman BeingsNumbersMillionsFourReturnGiving UpMiseryVariousIsraelSolveMythSettlingAbstractFiftyAllowingPalestinianBoth SidesRefugeeHistoricCompensationGood WillReadiness Author:Uri Avnery
