Israeli Consul General Giora Becher told a group of students last night that the Middle Eastern conflict revolves around two main issues: the Palestinian refugees and the future of Jerusalem.

These issues and others must be reconciled for the conflict to be resolved, Becher said. Until then, there is little hope for an end to the fighting, he added.

"Israel is engaged right now in a war," he said. That war is one of Israeli defense forces versus terrorist organizations, he added.

"This is a different kind of war, but it is a war," Becher said. "The major target is not the Israeli army; thsse major target is the Israeli civil population."

Some people who attended the speech voiced their concern about the religious undertones of the conflict.

"It is not and it shouldn't be a conflict between Judaism and Islam," Becher replied.

At least one student, Muhnad Asmar (junior-aerospace engineering), said that he considered Israel to be a racist state.

Asmar talked about how it is more difficult for Muslim people to get citizenship and work in Israel than it is for Jews.

Becher bluntly refuted that idea: "We are not a racist state at all," he said.

Paul Lawrence Rose, history and Jewish studies professor, explained that the term "racist state" has been used by critics to describe Israel since the 1970s, but it is not a fair assessment.

"There's a definite preference for giving Jews citizenship," Rose said, adding that, "All states aren't fair, let's face it. It doesn't mean they're racist."

Becher emphasized the idea that the Israeli government is at war with terrorism, not Islam. "I think we are in a situation where we do not have any other alternative," he said.

Once the Palestinian government makes a successful attempt to stop terrorists, the Israelis will end their war, he said. "There is no cycle of violence, I promise you," he added.

At this point, the challenge is in getting both sides to compromise, Becher said. "The problem is, how do we go back to the table of negotiation?" he asked.

"It won't be easy," he added. "There's a lot of distrust right now."

Again, he stressed the importance of reconciling differences over refugees and Jerusalem.

"It is quite clear to me that there is a Palestinian refugee problem," he said. "We should find a solution to the problem."

That problem cannot be solved by allowing these people to return to their old homes, he added.

To solve the dispute over Jerusalem, both sides must realize that each has a valid interest in the territory, Becher said. But the Palestinian side continues to deny the importance of Jerusalem to Israel, he said.

Overall though, Becher said he is optimistic about the future of the Middle East.

"I don't think that we are doomed to sacrifice our own people for generations and generations," he said.