Natan Sharansky

Natan Sharansky (Hebrew: ??? ??????, Russian: ????? ????????? ?????????; born January 20, 1948) is a notable former Soviet anticommunist, Zionist, Israeli politician and writer.

Books

His book The Case For Democracy: The Power of Freedom to Overcome Tyranny and Terror, cowritten with Ron Dermer, was a "must reading" on the Embassy Row. It had a major influence on the United States president George W. Bush and other government officials, who urged their subordinates to read the book:

Related Topics:
The Case For Democracy - Ron Dermer - Embassy Row - United States - George W. Bush

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"If you want a glimpse of how I think about foreign policy read Natan Sharansky's book, The Case for Democracy... For government, particularly — for opinion makers, I would put it on your recommended reading list. It's short and it's good. This guy is a heroic figure, as you know. It's a great book." (CNN), http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/005/137redzw.asp.

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In it, Sharansky postulates that freedom is essential for security and prosperity, and every people and nation deserve to live free in a democratic society. Sharansky argues that human rights, safety and stability can only be assured by releasing people from their oppressors and turn them into free societies when each would have the freedom to express his opinion. Therefore, he concludes, the free world must insist of promoting democracy for the oppressed people, instead of appeasing dictatorships and doing business with tyrant regimes,

Related Topics:
Freedom - Human rights - Free world - Appeasing

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I then explained why democracy was so crucial to international stability and security, why linkage had been so successful during the Cold War, and why the free world had betrayed its democratic principles at Oslo. I outlined my plan to help the Palestinians build a free society and help Israelis and Palestinians forge a lasting peace. http://www.americandaily.com/article/5980

Related Topics:
Cold War - Oslo

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Sharansky takes what many of his critics call a hardline position against the Palestinians, arguing that there can never be peace between Israel and the Palestinians until the latter rid their society of terrorist groups like Hamas and of anti-Semitism. His critics see an incompatibility between his ardent Zionism and his commitment to the struggle for universal human rights and democracy. In a recent Ha?aretz interview, he maintained the ?Jews came here 3,000 years ago and this is the cradle of Jewish civilization. Jews are the only people in history who kept their loyalty to their identity and their land throughout the 2,000 years of exile, and no doubt that they have the right to have their place among nations?not only historically but also geographically. As to the Palestinians, who are the descendants of those Arabs who migrated in the last 200 years, they have the right, if they want, to have their own state... but not at the expense of the state of Israel.?

Related Topics:
Hamas - Palestinian

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http://www.amconmag.com/2005_03_28/cover.html

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