Natan Sharansky Quotes

A collection of quotes by Natan Sharansky.

Natan Sharansky is a prominent Israeli politician and human rights activist. Born Anatoly Borisovich Shcharansky on January 20, 1948, in Donetsk, Ukraine (then part of the Soviet Union), he became a vocal advocate for democracy, freedom, and Jewish rights.

Sharansky was an active dissident during the Soviet era, fighting for the rights of Jews to emigrate to Israel and for the freedom of expression. He became a symbol of resistance against repressive regimes. After years of activism, he was arrested by the Soviet authorities in 1977 on trumped-up charges of treason and spying for the United States. Following a widely publicized trial, Sharansky was sentenced to 13 years of forced labor and imprisonment.

During his imprisonment, Sharansky continued his activism and became an internationally recognized symbol of the struggle for human rights. Through various campaigns, including those led by his wife Avital, he gained significant attention and support from Western governments and organizations.

In 1986, after intense international pressure, Sharansky was released as part of a prisoner exchange deal. Upon his release, he emigrated to Israel and became an active member of political life. Sharansky went on to serve as a member of the Israeli Knesset (parliament) and held several ministerial positions, including Deputy Prime Minister.

Throughout his life, Natan Sharansky has been widely recognized and honored for his commitment to human rights, democracy, and Jewish identity. His story of resilience, courage, and determination continues to inspire people around the world.

I have no doubt that given a real choice, the vast majority

I have no doubt that given a real choice, the vast majority of Muslims and Arabs, like everyone else will choose a free society over a fear society.

Natan Sharansky

My optimism is not based primarily on the successful march o

My optimism is not based primarily on the successful march of democracy in recent times but rather is based on the experience of having lived in a fear society and studied the mechanics of tyranny that sustain such a society.

Natan Sharansky

People may believe that there can be a society where dissent

People may believe that there can be a society where dissent is not permitted, but which is nonetheless not a fear society because everyone agrees with one another and therefore no one wants to dissent.

Natan Sharansky

By helping readers understand these mechanics, I hope they w

By helping readers understand these mechanics, I hope they will appreciate why freedom is for everyone, why it is essential for our security and why the free world plays a critically important role in advancing democracy around the globe.

Natan Sharansky

I am optimistic that peace can be achieved in the region bec

I am optimistic that peace can be achieved in the region because I believe that every society on earth can be free and that if freedom comes to the Middle East, there can be peace.

Natan Sharansky

Only weeks after Oslo began, when nearly all the world and m

Only weeks after Oslo began, when nearly all the world and most of Israel was drunk with the idea of peace, I argued that a Palestinian society not constrained by democratic norms would be a fear society that would pose a grave threat to Israel.

Natan Sharansky

The only peace that can be made with a dictator is once that

The only peace that can be made with a dictator is once that must be based on deterrence. For today, the dictator may be your friend, but tomorrow he will need you as an enemy.

Natan Sharansky

On the other hand, if the free world is concerned with how a

On the other hand, if the free world is concerned with how a new Palestinian leader governs, then the peace process will have a real chance to succeed.

Natan Sharansky

By focusing once and for all on helping the Palestinians bui

By focusing once and for all on helping the Palestinians build a free society, I have no doubt that an historic compromise between Israelis and Palestinians can be reached and that peace can prevail.

Natan Sharansky

Will dissent be permitted? The answer to that question will

Will dissent be permitted? The answer to that question will determine whether the society is a free society or a fear society.

Natan Sharansky

To understand why dictators have a problem with making peace

To understand why dictators have a problem with making peace - or at least a genuine peace - the link between the nature of a regime and its external behavior must be understood.

Natan Sharansky

Arafat rejected the deal because, as a dictator who had dire

Arafat rejected the deal because, as a dictator who had directed all his energies toward strengthening the Palestinians hatred toward Israel, Arafat could not afford to make peace.

Natan Sharansky

In contrast, fear societies are societies in which dissent i

In contrast, fear societies are societies in which dissent is banned.

Natan Sharansky

When we are unwilling to draw clear moral lines between free

When we are unwilling to draw clear moral lines between free societies and fear societies, when we are unwilling to call the former good and the latter evil, we will not be able to advance the cause of peace because peace cannot be disconnected from freedom.

Natan Sharansky

Unfortunately, little attention was paid to how Arafat ruled

Unfortunately, little attention was paid to how Arafat ruled. In fact, some saw the harsh and repressive nature of Arafat's regime as actually bolstering the prospects for peace.

Natan Sharansky

I was inspired to write this book by those who are sceptical

I was inspired to write this book by those who are sceptical of the power of freedom to change the world.

Natan Sharansky

The central premise behind Oslo was that if Arafat were give

The central premise behind Oslo was that if Arafat were given enough legitimacy, territory, weapons and money, he would use his power to fight terror and make peace with Israel.

Natan Sharansky

Can someone within that society walk into the town square an

Can someone within that society walk into the town square and say what they want without fear of being punished for his or her views? If so, then that society is a free society. If not, it is a fear society.

Natan Sharansky

The message of the free world to any potential Palestinian l

The message of the free world to any potential Palestinian leadership should be a simple one: Embrace democratic reform and we will embrace you.

Natan Sharansky

Believe me, the drug of freedom is universally potent.

Believe me, the drug of freedom is universally potent.

Natan Sharansky