Only weeks after Oslo began, when nearly all the world and most of Israel was drunk with the idea of peace, I argued that a Palestinian society not constrained by democratic norms would be a fear society that would pose a grave threat to Israel.

Imagine if the United States, in its war against Hitler, had said to Stalin: we don't want your support until you make your country democratic.

As soon as people become a little less fearful, they will also begin demanding more freedom.

This scepticism is the same scepticism I heard a generation ago in the USSR when few thought that a democratic transformation behind the iron curtain was possible.

I was inspired to write this book by those who are sceptical of the power of freedom to change the world.

I am optimistic that peace can be achieved in the region because I believe that every society on earth can be free and that if freedom comes to the Middle East, there can be peace.

Of course, there can be serious injustices within free societies.