1
Bigotry against any group should be disqualifying for high office.Alan Dershowitz
2
For something to be a crime there must be both an actus reus and mens rea – that is, a criminal act accompanied by a criminal state of mind.Alan Dershowitz
3
This book is dedicated to Israel's constructive and nuanced critics, whose rational voices are too often drowned out by the exaggerations, demonizations, and hate-filled lies put forth by Israel's enemies. Criticism is the lifeblood of democracy and a sure sign of admiration for an imperfect democracy seeking to improve itself.Alan Dershowitz
4
It's never acceptable to target civilians. It violates the Geneva Accords, it violates the international law of war and it violates all principles of morality.Alan Dershowitz
5
Juries are not computers. They are composed of human beings who evaluate evidence differently.Alan Dershowitz
6
I think mistakes are the essence of science and law. It's impossible to conceive of either scientific progress or legal progress without understanding the important role of being wrong and of mistakes.Alan Dershowitz
7
Real heroes are those who face death for a principle - say, to save the lives of others - without any promise of reward.Alan Dershowitz
8
Great research universities must insist on independence from government and on the exercise of academic freedom.Alan Dershowitz
9
The same independence that got me into trouble in high school got me praise in college.Alan Dershowitz
10
Good character consists of recognizing the selfishness that inheres in each of us and trying to balance it against the altruism to which we should all aspire. It is a difficult balance to strike, but no definition of goodness can be complete without it.Alan Dershowitz
11
The threat or fear of violence should not become an excuse or justification for restricting freedom of speech.Alan Dershowitz
12
It simply cannot be disputed that for decades the Palestinian leadership was more interested in there not being a Jewish state than in there being a Palestinian state.Alan Dershowitz
13
On television and in the movies, crimes are always solved. Nothing is left uncertain. By the end, the viewer knows whodunit. In real life, on the other hand, many murders remain unsolved, and even some that are 'solved' to the satisfaction of the police and prosecutors lack sufficient evidence to result in a conviction.Alan Dershowitz
14
The sad reality is that there are no purely domestic issues in Israel. Issues that would be dealt with by municipalities in other countries - such as how to deal with a dangerous bridge or how to resolve conflicts between religious and secular bus riders - become major international issues when they occur in Israel.Alan Dershowitz
15
Freedom of speech means freedom for those who you despise, and freedom to express the most despicable views. It also means that the government cannot pick and choose which expressions to authorize and which to prevent.Alan Dershowitz
16
We all learn in school that the judicial, legislative and executive branches of government must check and balance each other. But other non state institutions must participate in this important system of checks and balances as well. These checking institutions include the academy, the media, religious institutions and NGOs.Alan Dershowitz
17
When I decide who to vote for as president, I ask myself who will be best for America and for the world. An important component of my answer involves my assessment of the candidate's willingness and ability to protect Israel's security, since I strongly believe that a strong Israel serves the interests of the United States and of world peace.Alan Dershowitz
18
Ed Koch will never 'rest in peace.' That was not his way. He was always nervously squirming, while making others squirm as well. Comfort was not his goal. He understood that to be a proud and assertive Jew meant never being able to leave a sigh of relief and say, 'It's over, we are at peace, we can now put down our guard and relax.'Alan Dershowitz
19
Judges are the weakest link in our system of justice, and they are also the most protected.Alan Dershowitz
20
I've thought hard about my psychological connections and I think I've managed to separate out the psychological from the legal, moral, and political.Alan Dershowitz
21
Being offended by freedom of speech should never be regarded as a justification for violence.Alan Dershowitz
22
I don't believe in firing professors. They have academic freedom.Alan Dershowitz