Abdallah II Quotes

It is always dangerous to underestimate anybody.

Together, we can create a world in which peace is real; in which every human being can thrive; in which all share the promise of our century. I believe we can succeed.

I'm just very wary that once you start military operations in any country, it's very difficult to predict what the outcome is.

We want to be, I think, an example for the rest of the Arab world, because there are a lot of people who say that the only democracy you can have in the Middle East is the Muslim Brotherhood.

The security and the future of Jordan is hand-in-hand with the future of the Palestinians and the Israelis.

Historic changes and challenges. Breakthroughs in human knowledge and opportunity. And yet, for vast numbers across the globe, the daily realities have not altered.

Fifty-seven countries in the world, a third of the United Nations, do not recognize Israel. In a way, I think North Korea has better international relations than Israel.

Earth's dispossessed are vulnerable targets for extremists: those who teach that global justice is meaningless; that satisfaction can come only in violence, division, and intellectual isolation.

There is resistance to change. There's a resistance to ideas.

We have no right to dictate, through irresponsible action or narrow-mindedness, the future of our children, and our children's children. There has been enough destruction, enough death, enough waste.

When we try to push the envelope, there are certain sectors of society that say this is a Zionist plot to sort of destabilize our country, or this is an American agenda.

I think the debate in our society now is that people have to agree on zero-tolerance to terrorism.

I'm not the type of person that is forced.

When there's a status quo, usually what shakes everybody up is some sort of military confrontation, at which point we all come running and screaming to pick up the pieces.

My view is when you use violence on your people, that never ends well.

The monarchy that I hand over to my son is not going to be the same one that I have inherited.

Jerusalem is a time bomb that I fear is just waiting to go off.

Don't take 'no' for an answer.

Each country its cost analysis is going to be different. So what we are you seeing in Syria, for example, is different than what's going on in Jordan. The maps are being rewritten.

Peace with Israel is a strategic imperative for Jordan.

You're always going to have terrorism.

I've benefited from the best of both societies and both cultures, East and West.

You're always going to have extremists in every religion.

Remember you don't do anything in isolation.

If you have a government that is elected, they need to do the hard work - because if they don't, they won't be around the next time the ballot box is open.

We're never going to be able to get rid of terrorism, because there is always going to be evil in the world.

I hope that none of the countries in the Middle East are planning anything but the peaceful utilization of nuclear energy.

Political development should start at the grassroots.

Chemical weapons are something that scares everybody.

There are so many different sub-societies inside of Syria.

No matter what's happening in the Middle East - the Arab Spring, et cetera, the economic challenges, high rates of unemployment - the emotional, critical issue is always the Israeli-Palestinian one.

Is Israel going to continue to be 'Fortress Israel'? Or, as we all hope, become accepted into the neighborhood, which I believe is the only way we can move forward in harmony.

Our response has been, "Well, let's then make an effort to get the Israelis and the Palestinians to sit around the table." That hasn't happened. So we only have ourselves to blame for this crisis.

I don't think the Middle East could afford another war.

The Arab Spring I think we will look back whether it's two years, five years, ten or fifteen. And say it's a good thing.

Wikileaks didn't help confidence with American administrations because of conversations made public so easily.

At the end of the day we want to bring stability and hope to Iraq. That's the only way to defeat terrorism.

I believe nuclear energy in Jordan will be done in such a way where it is a public-private partnership so everyone can see exactly what's going on.

I think it's almost impossible for any expert to predict for the rapid changes we see in the Middle East. They are rapid and they will continue for quite a while.

I'm easily entertained.

I look at Jerusalem as being a beacon for the three monotheistic religions.

The brave pilot gave his life defending his faith, country and nation and joined other Jordanian martyrs who gave their lives for Jordan.

There is a tendency by a lot of officials to hide behind the king. And it's about time that officials take their responsibility and are responsible in front of the people.

The Arab World is writing a new future; the pen is in our own hands.

I like to look at the glass half full.

Whenever you have a crisis, you're always going to have the extremists taking advantage of the situation.

What keeps me up at night is poverty and unemployment.

The incentive that you give to your youth is going to be the make-or-break future of the country.

We have to always hope in humanity that people will make the right choices.

If everybody is happy, then something is wrong with the democratic process.