Mark: I'm a human being, so obviously at times I get angry, but I always try to be professional. I always think that I've got to say my truth. I've got to make the case for my country and that case is a good case. Ultimately in the vast Middle East, from North Africa, to central Asia, in the whole greater Middle East, there is only one true democracy; only one country where Governments are elected in elections. There is only one country with a free press, with a free trade union movement, which gives freedom of religion. There is only one country with free universities, freedom of speech, freedom of thought and those freedoms are enshrined in Israeli behaviour. I have a lot as an Israeli. I have a lot to be proud of.

Paul: We hear a lot about Zionism. It seems that Zionism has become the new anti-Semitism, is that the case?

Mark: I think it's true. People sometimes disguise hatred for Jewish people saying no, we only hate the Jewish State, but I think it is anti-Semitism to say that the Jewish people alone on this planet are the only people not entitled to national self-determination. If you say that you believe in the principle of peoples having the right to national self-expression, to independence and sovereignty, out of all peoples on this planet you say Jews don't have that right, what's that all about?

Paul: So it's ok to criticise Israel, but it's when it's a heart of hatred?

Mark: Israelis are self-critical, you just have to read Israeli newspapers, or watch the debates in our Knesset in our Parliament. Israelis are self-critical. Everything the Prime Minister says in my country is open to very vibrant public debate. It's not about legitimate criticism, it's about there are those out there who are demonising the Jewish people and the Jewish State. There are people who are preaching hatred and unfortunately that is anti-Semitism.

Paul: How can Christians support Israel?

Mark: It's important that all Israel's friends in the Christian community speak up. I've just spoken today and I've said it's important for people to stand up for Israel, to make sure that their voices are heard. This is especially true for Christians who live in democratic countries, where Governments respond to public opinion and from members of Parliament who respond to letters from their constituents. People who support Israel, people who want to show solidarity with Israel, it's important that they make their voices heard. Israel's detractors are not embarrassed about making their voices heard, so it's crucial Israel's Christian friends also stand up and be counted.

Paul: Why do you do what you do?

Mark: I believe in what I do. I couldn't do it if I didn't believe in it. My father was born in 1931 in Magdeburg, Germany. It was the wrong place and the wrong time to be born a Jew. That his family survived the Holocaust when many other Jewish families from the city where he was born didn't, that is something I don't take for granted. I often think had there been an Israel in 1938 instead of 10 years later in 1948, in other words if Israel had been in existence before the Second World War, how many innocent lives could we have saved? There would have been a refuge. There would have been a place for all those people who wanted to flee Nazi Europe. There would have been a place for them to go. I have that very strong conviction that Israel's cause is ultimately a just cause, a righteous cause and it is my honour and I say that very sincerely, it is my honour to represent my country.

Paul: What is your prayer for the nation of Israel?

Mark: I want to see peace. I want to see peace between Israel and our neighbours; peace based on security, peace based on justice and peace based on mutual recognition. I'd like us to be able to build a Middle East, not a Middle East on conflict and hatred, but a Middle East of cooperation, a Middle East of reconciliation. I hope that is possible.