I don't hate people. I just accept missions.

The Labor party under my leadership is working to bring the Israeli people together from all nationalities in the spirit of the scroll of independence.

I have acquired - some would say deservedly - quite a few rivals: former Israeli politicians, some of whom at their height were stars beloved by large parts of the public. But today, they aren't in politics, and when they sit alone in their room, they say to themselves that Barak is the one who showed them out the door.

I know that I am absolutely reliable. Absolutely.

I'm not a tycoon or anything like that. Does my property amount to several million dollars? Of course it does.

Israel cannot afford to be duped.

Who can guarantee that if we allow the Palestinians to establish a state, we won't find rockets there as well, half a mile from the airport or 10 miles from Tel Aviv?

The Islamization process in Arab countries is very disturbing.

I hope any government formed in Egypt will understand there is no choice but to maintain the framework of international agreements, which include the peace agreement with Israel.

Toward the Palestinians, Israel can only give. But when dealing with the entire Arab world, Israel can get a lot.

The Middle East is a region where predictions go to die.

Hezbollah will support Assad to the end because his continuing hold on power is critical to its own survival.

There is a need to accept a limited disruption of civil liberties in order to penetrate terror.

I'm not afraid of elections. I've won every election I've fought in.

I will not discuss future hypothetical situations.

One of the lessons learned in the Middle East is to never try to anticipate the other side's moves.

I am confident the Obama administration will work professionally with any Israeli government.

Iran sees India, China, Pakistan and, allegedly, Israel around them with nuclear weapons.

I tend not to believe radical Muslim movements.

I know Fiat plans to start manufacturing cars in Iran. This is wrong.

With the globalization, it's difficult for governments to impose decisions on private companies.

If you establish a right unity government, you create an effective platform to make... decisions because you have wider support of your own party.

Benjamin Netanyahu seems to avoid any initiative.

Once Iraq becomes a nuclear power, the very decision to go to war against it would become a totally different ball game.

Prime Minister Menachem Begin ordered the destruction of an Iraqi nuclear reactor near Baghdad in 1981. This action delayed an Iraqi bomb by at least 15 years. The whole world condemned Israel - only to realize later how farsighted it had been.

When you launch a surgical operation, you must already be well deployed to follow it through with larger forces. That complicates matters: you need to be ready for a full-fledged campaign on the operational level and have the diplomatic backing lined up as well.

The aim of the Palestinian terror is not just to kill Israelis but also to break the will of Israeli society in order to dictate a political solution. Israel should never yield to this terror campaign.

Unfortunately, you cannot let your neck be kind of cut as a gesture for your neighbor, even if it's a good neighbor.

Leadership can change its mind; leadership can open its eye. Leadership can even be replaced.

We are living in an open world. There is a freedom of speech and, clearly, freedom of speculation.

I respect General Halutz very much so.

There is a perception across the Middle East that America is weakened. I believe the perception is wrong. The United States remains the world's mightiest military, economic and diplomatic power by far, with reach and abilities beyond rival.

I believe President Obama means everything he says about sticking to the unprecedented backing of Israel and keeping all options on the table against Tehran, as well as countering its adventures in Syria, Yemen, and Iraq.

A strong, responsible Israel can become a stabilizer in such a turbulent region.

Israel's secret services are allowed to profile.

Russians in top positions always told me, 'We don't want to deal with our allies the way that the Americans dealt with Mubarak,' which is a very live example in the minds of many.

Israel always has a special filter to look at things, and that is the attitude toward Jews.