Shimon Peres Quotes

A collection of quotes by Shimon Peres.

Shimon Peres (1923-2016) was an Israeli statesman who played a crucial role in the establishment and development of the State of Israel. Born in Poland, Peres immigrated to Mandatory Palestine at the age of 11. He quickly emerged as a prominent political figure, becoming a key contributor to the founding of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and serving as a top aide to David Ben-Gurion, the country's first prime minister.

Over his long and distinguished career, Peres held numerous high-ranking positions within the Israeli government. He served as both defense and foreign affairs minister, and eventually assumed the role of prime minister, leading the country on two separate occasions in the 1980s and 1990s.

Known for his tireless efforts in pursuit of peace in the volatile Middle East, Peres was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1994 together with Yitzhak Rabin and Yasser Arafat for their endeavors to negotiate a lasting peace agreement between Israel and Palestine. Peres later served as Israel's president from 2007 to 2014, a largely ceremonial role in which he continued to promote peaceful coexistence, innovation, and dialogue within Israeli society.

Shimon Peres was widely regarded as one of Israel's most respected and influential political figures, leaving an indelible mark on the country's history and international relations. His commitment to peace and diplomacy earned him recognition and admiration on a global scale. Peres passed away in 2016 at the age of 93, leaving behind a legacy of tireless statesmanship and a fervent pursuit of peace.

He was the editor of our paper. He created the publishing ho

He was the editor of our paper. He created the publishing house in Hebrew. He was - I wouldn't say the 'guru' - but really he was our teacher and a most respected man. I wrote for the paper of the youth movement.

I think I was a good student, because I jumped over a school

I think I was a good student, because I jumped over a school. My main interest was basically history and literature. Sports were basically basketball and swimming at a pool. I was so happy.

History

Israel welcomes the wind of change, and sees a window of opp

Israel welcomes the wind of change, and sees a window of opportunity. Democratic and science-based economies by nature desire peace. Israel does not want to be an island of affluence in an ocean of poverty. Improvements in our neighbours' lives mean improvements to the neighbourhood in which we live.

Peace

What is wrong with the Iranians in addition to the nuclear b

What is wrong with the Iranians in addition to the nuclear bomb? This is the only country on Earth in the 21st century that has renewed imperialistic ambitions. They really want to become the hegemon of the Middle East in an age that gave up imperialism.

Age

Peace with the Palestinians will open ports of peace all aro

Peace with the Palestinians will open ports of peace all around the Mediterranean. The duty of leaders is to pursue freedom ceaselessly, even in the face of hostility, in the face of doubt and disappointment. Just imagine what could be.

Freedom

Look, I worked with American Republican presidents and Democ

Look, I worked with American Republican presidents and Democratic presidents, all of them, and each of them has shown a deep and profound friendship to Israel, you know? I can't remember anybody who was in that sense negative as far as Israel is concerned.

Friendship

The problem of the Middle East is poverty more than politics

The problem of the Middle East is poverty more than politics.

Politics

The Iranian regime suppresses its own people as well as othe

The Iranian regime suppresses its own people as well as others in the region. It prevents peace by sponsoring terror globally. With the ultimate weapon that it is deceptively developing, the regime aims to gain hegemony over the entire Middle East and hold the world's economy hostage.

Peace

The Middle East is ailing. The malady stems from pervasive v

The Middle East is ailing. The malady stems from pervasive violence, shortages of food, water and educational opportunities, discrimination against women and - the most virulent cause of all - the absence of freedom.

Food

When I am speaking about American presidents, I have to spea

When I am speaking about American presidents, I have to speak about my very special relations with President Clinton. He contributed more to peace than anybody else in the American sense.

Peace

I call on the Iranian people: it is not too late to replace

I call on the Iranian people: it is not too late to replace the corrupt regime and return to your glorious Persian heritage, a heritage of culture and values and not of bombs and missiles... How can a nation allow a regime to instill fear, take away the people's freedom and shock the young generation that seeks its way out of the dictatorial Iran.

Fear

Bringing an end to the conflict between Israel and the Pales

Bringing an end to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians may help the young Arab generation to realise their aspirations. Israel is more than willing to offer our experience in building a modern economy in spite of limited resources to the whole region.

Experience

The Jews' greatest contribution to history is dissatisfactio

The Jews' greatest contribution to history is dissatisfaction! We're a nation born to be discontented. Whatever exists we believe can be changed for the better.

History

In Israel, a land lacking in natural resources, we learned t

In Israel, a land lacking in natural resources, we learned to appreciate our greatest national advantage: our minds. Through creativity and innovation, we transformed barren deserts into flourishing fields and pioneered new frontiers in science and technology.

Science

My heart goes out to the brave citizens of Syria, who each d

My heart goes out to the brave citizens of Syria, who each day risk and even sacrifice their lives to achieve freedom from a murderous regime. We in Israel welcome the historic struggle to forge democratic, peace-loving governments in our region.

Freedom

The United States is the only power in history that became g

The United States is the only power in history that became great by giving and not by taking. I think the crisis was when the United States had more money than ideas. Money doesn't produce money. Ideas produce money.

History

I believe that peace with the Palestinians is most urgent -

I believe that peace with the Palestinians is most urgent - urgent than ever before. It is necessary. It is crucial. It is possible. A delay may worsen its chances. Israel and the Palestinians are, in my judgment, ripe today to restart the peace process.

Peace

What should be the future of Israel? Is the land the most im

What should be the future of Israel? Is the land the most important choice, and for that reason to keep the whole of the land at any cost, or to have a partition and build the Jewish state on part of the land? And the other part?

Future

The older generation had greater respect for land than scien

The older generation had greater respect for land than science. But we live in an age when science, more than soil, has become the provider of growth and abundance. Living just on the land creates loneliness in an age of globality.

Age

I worked with a group of people who argued day and night - p

I worked with a group of people who argued day and night - professors, officials, the Minister of Finance - but there were decisions that I had to make.

Finance