The Penn State community had the chance last night to experience a first-hand description of the issues surrounding the Israeli election, which will occur on March 28.

Dr. Yossi Olmert, a top Middle Eastern scholar from Israel, spoke in 112 Chambers to more than a hundred people on the crucial election.

Israelis will vote for a prime minister in the race that includes Olmert's brother, acting Prime Minister of Israel Ehud Olmert.

The elections are important to Israelis because the new prime minister will have to address the new Hamas-led government

Last night's subject of discussion, "In Light of Hamas (Terror Organization) Victory," brought up many questions and concerns about the current state of Israel.

Olmert, an adviser to his brother, said the main issue is that Palestinians last month elected Hamas -- a United Nations-recognized terrorist organization -- to run their government. However, Israeli policy is not to negotiate with terrorists.

"Israelis are saying we will defend ourselves, and if you use terrorism, we will fight back," he said.

Olmert said that Hamas is trying to get rid of the Jewish community because they do not want a Jewish state in its current location -- sharing a border with Palestine. He added that it was a tragedy that some Palestinians agree with the policies of the Hamas.

"Apparently some people believe in the Hamas victory because they voted for it," he said.

Tuvia Abramson, executive director for Hillel: Foundation for Jewish Campus Life, said it was an event in which students and other Jewish organizations worked on for a long time.

"It's a continuum of programs that will be organized by Hillel to bring Jewish life, community and Hillel to campus," he said.

Abramson also said it was interesting that so many people were concerned with the outcome of Israel.

One of the reasons Abramson asked his friend Olmert to speak at Penn State was because of the lack of knowledge among students, he said.

"Without any doubt, it benefited the students who came," Abramson said.

He said the situation in Israel is comparable to the Canadian government declaring America had no right to exist.

There are 15 million Jewish people in the world, Abramson said, and 6 million of them are in Israel, which is about the size of New Jersey.

Olmert also spoke of the Iranian threat to Israel.

"The Iranians have an absolute motivation to destroy [Israel], and we have an absolute motivation to prevent it," he said. Olmert said he thinks Iran is producing nuclear weapons and not providing for its people.

Brian Stein (junior-philosophy and political science) questioned Olmert about the planned route for a security barrier in Israel to separate Jewish towns that are surrounded by Arabian towns.

"They want to separate them so nothing will get blown up," Stein said, after the discussion. "Unfortunately, the barrier won't include all Jewish areas on the Jewish side."

He said Olmert confirmed that some Jewish towns will be excluded.

"The government won't move the barrier because they want it to be straight," Stein said. "It's expensive and they don't want to spend the money."

Josh Stulman (senior-art and anthropology) said it was a relief to see a centered view that addressed both sides.

"[Olmert] used sources for his information," Stulman said. Often, speakers do not reference sources in their arguments, he said.

Jeremy Weisblatt (sophomore-classics and ancient Mediterranean studies) said the program was great.

"It allows a different view from someone who lives there," he said. "It's more than media reports."