“We do not have many intellectuals who can speak out for us internation...” — Tahar Ben Jelloun Quote

“We do not have many intellectuals who can speak out for us internationally. We have no writers who are recognized, respected and loved outside the Arab world.”

“In the '70s I was in exile; every time I went back I wondered if they'd take my passport away.”

“I don't feel guilty about expressing myself in French; nor do I feel that I am continuing the work of the colonizers.”

“Without strong Arab backing, it will be hard, if not impossible, for a Palestinian leader to reach peace with Israel.”

“Every Arab 'republic' has been a republic of fear, but only Saddam Hussein's Iraq surpassed the Assads' Syria in number of victims.”

“Israel expanded beyond its original boundaries only because the Arab powers attacked Israel and the U.N. demarcation unsuccessfully in 1948. The endless caterwauling about the 1967 borders is rubbish.”