As everyone sat quietly listening to every word uttered by Arnon Perlman, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's former senior adviser, four people chose to take a stand. They stood with their backs facing Perlman throughout his entire lecture, until the time of question and answer came about.
Kamala Visweswaran, an associate professor of anthropology, asked how a nation which built up a wall around it was not considered to be practicing a policy of apartheid.
"Once there will be no need for a wall; it will no longer be there," Perlman replied. The others who turned their backs on the speaker were Bob Jensen, associate professor of journalism at the University, and two unidentified young men.
Perlman was commissioned by Caravan for Democracy, an initiative of Jewish National Fund, to speak to UT students as a part of their campaign to generate constructive dialogue about the Middle East on college campuses throughout the United States.
After briefly discussing Yasser Arafat's death, Perlman's discussion concentrated on the future peace process of Israelis and Palestinians.
He said two things must happen to settle the Middle Eastern conflict.
"The terror has to stop, and the Palestinians should have their own state," he said.
He said only when you get to Israel, do you realize two things - that the conflict is more complex than the media's portrayal, and the area the two cultures must share is very small.
"We've mastered the art of dying together," Perlman said. "By talking, I hope we will master the art of living together."
In order for Israel to live together with Palestine, Perlman said, there must be trust.
"If we don't trust our neighbor, we die with him," Perlman said.
Benjamin Douglas, member of Jewish Students for Palestinian Rights, attended the events in hopes of getting answers to his questions.
Douglas, as well as many others, asked Perlman questions ranging from Israeli nuclear weapons, feelings concerning Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank and Gaza, and current voting rights for Israelis versus those of Palestinians.
Perlman answered several questions, yet declined or skirted others.
In the days following Arafat's death, Perlman said he believes there will be elections in the Palestinian authority.
"As for now it seems like Abu Massan," Perlman said. "But any leader has to make a decision - does he become more radical, or does he speak about reform?" Perlman said Israel would not interfere in Palestinian elections but they might facilitate if asked.
He continued to speak about the importance of having a political partner to discuss issues with, and he hopes Palestine will elect someone who can create that partnership through dialogue.
"Let's sit and talk about the issues," Perlman said. "Because when we talk, we tend not to fight. When we fight, we stop talking."
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