Mehdi Hasan Quotes

I have been, and will remain, outspoken in my insistence that Israel has a right to live in peace and security.

I'm not at all sure that Israel can determine what happens in Palestine, the Palestinian territories.

Palestine-Israel is such a ludicrous issue.

No one was talking about a two-state solution until the '90s, then it became an acceptable solution.

I think we need to stand with Israel.

Palestine is the issue, and until this issue is resolved, there can be no peace.

On the other hand, we have in Israel, an Israeli government which has been elected by the Israeli people. Their political agenda is not for peace. They are from the camp anti-peace.

Israel is a piece of real estate that neither Jew or Arab will let go of; neither will leave these shores. And so they will have to learn to live together.

I never believed that Israel had the right to exist at all.

Finally, I am encouraged to note that the Security Council issued a statement today expressing its concern about the massive humanitarian crisis in Darfur and calling on all parties to the conflict to protect civilians and reach a ceasefire.

I am deeply concerned that, without peace and a two-state solution, the Jewish and democratic nature of Israel is in danger. That's why I have opposed Israel's settlement policy since 1973, and that's why I have favored a two-state solution since 1967.

Israelis and Palestinians are suspicious of each other and of promises from outside. But the need for a negotiated solution between the parties should not stymie international clarity and consensus about the endgame in terms of borders and other issues.

I believe that if Israel were to put an end to the settlements in the West Bank tomorrow, as it did in Gaza, there would still be reluctance on the part of the Palestinian Authority to recognize Israel's right to exist as a Jewish secular democracy.

I've always thought that if Israel really wanted to solve the problem, they'd just start tomorrow and push right to the Jordan River, and anything in their way goes. They don't need America or someone else to help.

I have often supported Israel, I have often visited the country and want the country to exist and at last find peace with its neighbours.

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

How have the past four years served Israel or the Palestinians? We want a solution for the sake of humanity.

It is inconceivable that we will recognize the right of our enemy [Israel] over any piece of territory on Palestinian soil.

If the Palestinians lay down their weapons, there will be peace. If the Israelis lay down their weapons, there will be a massacre.

Conduct peace talks only with those among the Arabs residing in the Land of Israel who are truly willing to recognize the existence of the State of Israel. As to all those who want to continue the battle against Israel, it is incumbent upon us -- including, and above all, the Government and Prime Minister -- to obey the law and wage war against them until their demise.

Yasser Arafat is not preparing his people for reconciliation. He is preparing them for Jihad.

I've often made critical comments about settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank and in east Jerusalem, and my position hasn't changed. At the same time, it's equally important to me that the two sides, both Israel and the Palestinians, work towards a durable peace settlement: that's to say a viable two-state solution.

There is an obvious truth here that must be spoken. The truth is that Assad, Russia, and Iran have no interest in peace.

The list of U.S. vetoes at the Security Council to protect Israeli aggression and occupation is huge.

What happens in Israel should be decided between Israel and the Palestinians.