A reprisal of this magnitude... has never been carried out before. I paced back and forth in my room perplexed and completely depressed, feeling helpless.

The state of Israel must, from time to time, prove clearly that it is strong, and able and willing to use force, in a devastating and highly effective way. If it does not prove this, it will be swallowed up, and perhaps wiped off the face of the earth.

I saw clearly how those who saved the state so heroically and courageously in the War of Independence would be capable of bringing a catastrophe upon it if they are given the chance in normal times.

Once the return tide starts, it will be impossible to stem it, and it will prove our undoing.

Arabs respect only the language of force.

Our role in Israel is a pioneering one, and we need people with certain strength of fiber.

Fear is the main factor in Arab politics... There is no Arab who is not harmed by Jews' entry into Palestine.