Tzipi Livni

“Relations between countries are built on values and interests and many other things, but at the end of the day, leaders are also only human beings.”

“I don't think that everything is a zero-sum game in which, when the president of the United States says something, that means that he is pro-Palestinian and anti-Israeli, or vice versa.”

“If Syria wants to be part of the international community, there are some conditions that they have to meet. And the first one is to stop embracing the terrorism.”

“Hamas does not represent the national aspirations of the Palestinians. It represents extreme Islamic ideas, which they share with Iran, Hezbollah, and Syria.”

“I arranged the first meeting between Ariel Sharon and the settlers.”

“It's important to be the gatekeeper against dangerous ideas.”

“For me, it is clear that when it comes to the need of Israel to defend itself, the role of the United States of America is crucial.”

“When it comes to matters of religion and state, Bayit Yehudi is more extreme than the ultra-Orthodox.”

“I was by Ariel Sharon's side on the day it was decided to form Kadima. It was founded in aim to create a government of hope and responsibility.”

“Radical groups can become legitimate political players in the democratic process if they accept core democratic principles and abandon the use of force as a political tool. Or they can maintain armed terrorist militias in order to threaten their neighbors and intimidate their people. The international community should not allow them to do both.”

“In general, I don't like formality at all.”

“The Iranians are abusing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to gain more support from radical elements in the region.”

“The fact that a terrorist was killed, and it doesn't matter if it was in Dubai or Gaza, is good news to those fighting terrorism.”

“When I make decisions, I'm not thinking about my parents. I'm thinking about my children.”

“My ideology is not connected to the Palestinians.”

“I may have been born in Tel Aviv, but my umbilical cord emerges from the Temple Mount.”

“I resent the idea that Israel is part of the political agenda in United States' campaigns, really.”

“You can't put your name, recognition, your money in a company without having share in the control.”

“I am good at persuading people. In convincing the other, I try to start from their point of view so it's easier for me to find a common denominator.”

“Israel needs to change direction, and this is not just political. We're becoming more closed-in, more isolated, more scared. Those who talk tough are making the State of Israel very weak, very isolated - very Jewish, in the Diaspora-sense, in that 'everyone is against us.' We need to get out of this.”