On the Situation Room - CNN with Wolf Blitzer:
"if they want statehood without peace, you know, that's not going to happen. I'm not going to do it, not because people oppose it at home, because I oppose it. If they want peace and then a state, that's fine. And that's what we should be working on.
But I think there's a basic asymmetry because Israelis want peace desperately. They yearn for peace. They pray for peace. And it's very hard living in this tiny country that is being attacked day in and day out and seeing your friends die, relatives die. people want peace. Peace is very precious, especially if you've been in wars and you know how bad they are.
The Palestinians can't seem to develop this kind of consensus. In Israel, I developed that consensus. I can bring I think the majority of Israelis to the table. And I think the Palestinians - to use Abba Eban's immortal words, never lose an opportunity to lose an opportunity. They really have to take that courageous step and confront their people and say, We're not going to get everything we want. We're not going to flood Israel with millions of Palestinians. We're going to have to accept Israel as the Jewish state, and we'll have to make some compromises. Not only Israel will make compromises, both of us will make compromises."