Israel spokesman: Peace still possible

Mark Regev is used to answering difficult questions regarding the struggle for peace in the Middle East as the spokesman for Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. At at a half-full room in Woodburn Hall on Tuesday night, he fielded inquiries and comments from students, faculty and community members about what he thinks is the next step in ending the conflict between Israel and Palestine. \nRegev said as he hopes for peace in Israel, the answer for a resolution between Israel and Palestine must come by splitting the land between the two.\n"The real solution must be sharing and dividing the country," Regev said. "Israel needs a state they can call home, and Palestine needs a state they can call home."\nRegev said the Israelis and Palestinians must recognize their many similarities. \n"Ultimately, these are two people that have more in common then they would like to admit," Regev said. "Both are very patriotic, both very aware of history and heritage, both feel they have been at the wrong end of persecution, both have suffered through wars, and both have been displaced."\nRegev said because both claim their homeland on such a very small piece of land, the only solution can be two peaceful states living side-by-side.\nWith the recent election of the Hamas government in Palestine, the struggle for peace has stepped backward, Regev said.\n"Hamas came to power and said 'no' to the road map for peace," he said. "Hamas' extreme position hurts Palestinian people ... Hamas is being associated with bin Laden."\nRegev said his ultimate goal is to work with the Palestinian government.\n"I can assure you if the Palestinian government wants peace, we will move together with them," Regev said.\nNot all members of the audience accepted Regev's speech, however. One man present was very vocal in his disagreement with Regev, stating his main concern as racism toward Arabic people inside of Israel. \nWhile Regev admitted there is racism among some Israeli people, he said there are problems within each side. He pointed out the Hamas constitution, which he said is racist. \n"If you do not believe the Hamas constitution to be racist, just read it ... Look it up online," Regev said. \nRegev arrived at IU via the organization Caravan for Democracy, a group that provides education about Israel and democracy efforts in the Middle East.\nThe organization contacted the Caravan for Democracy fellows on campus, freshman Carly Drawas and sophomore Shelly Farahan, and asked about interest in Regev visiting Bloomington.\nFarahan said Regev is on a 10-day tour of colleges and high schools around the country, and they were able to find a date that worked with him and the University.\nSenior Joanna Blotner said students involved with the Helene G. Simon Hillel Center at IU had a chance to meet with Regev before his speech for dinner and a question-and-answer opportunity.\n"It was very informal," Blotner said. "We talked about his background, foreign policy and Israel domestic issues"