“I cannot conceive of Israel withdrawing if Arab states do not recognize Israel, within secure borders.”
Image credits: John Mathew Smith 2001,”From Wash D.C. Longworth building October 4, 1994. Mandela’s first trip to the United States.”,CC BY-SA 2.0,Nelson Mandela 1994 – Nelson Mandela – Wikipedia
- July 18, 1918 – December 5, 2013
- Born in South Africa
- Politician, lawyer
- The first black president of South Africa, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for abolishing apartheid and building a democratic South Africa where multiple ethnic groups coexist.
Quote
“I cannot conceive of Israel withdrawing if Arab states do not recognize Israel, within secure borders.”
Explanation
This quote reflects Nelson Mandela’s perspective on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and broader Middle Eastern politics. Mandela was emphasizing that Israel’s security and its right to exist as a state were fundamental to any peace process in the region. For him, the idea that Israel might withdraw from territories or make concessions without recognition and security guarantees from the surrounding Arab states was unrealistic. He believed that peace could only be achieved if Israel was acknowledged by its neighbors and allowed to exist within secure borders—a position that underscores the importance of mutual recognition in any lasting peace agreement.
Historically, this quote comes at a time when Mandela had emerged as a global statesman, having led South Africa through its transition from apartheid to democracy. His perspective on Israel was shaped by his own experiences with self-determination and struggle against oppression, but also by his belief in the importance of dialogue and compromise. While Mandela supported the rights of Palestinians, he also recognized that a stable solution required recognition of Israel’s right to exist and its need for security. This was part of his broader foreign policy approach, which sought to promote peace, coexistence, and dialogue over confrontation and unilateral action.
In contemporary terms, Mandela’s quote remains relevant in discussions about Middle Eastern peace processes. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues to be a deeply divisive issue, with questions of borders, security, and recognition central to any potential solution. The notion that security for Israel cannot be separated from recognition by Arab states is still a key component of peace talks. Mandela’s emphasis on the need for both sides to make concessions in order to move toward peace echoes the ongoing challenges of negotiation and diplomacy in international relations today.
