Mark Regev with Paul Calvert

Paul Calvert spoke with Mark Regev, the new Israeli Ambassador to Britain, about the threats Israel is facing, his hope for peace in the Middle East and his passion for his job.

Paul: What is it like for you, being the Ambassador for Israel?

Mark: It's an honour and a privilege to represent the new State of Israel, only 68 years old, here in the United Kingdom. Britain and Israel share a long history together, but ultimately what unites us today is that we are two free peoples. We are two democratic peoples; two countries that cherish pluralism and tolerance and freedom and this is a very strong bond.

Paul: What are some of the biggest threats Israel faces today?

Mark: Obviously the Middle East is going through a very violent and tumultuous period. We are seeing countries virtually disintegrate before our eyes, Iraq, Libya and Syria. Countries are being torn apart; they are falling apart and we are seeing radical extremists move in to the cracks and they are not good for anyone. They are an enemy of all free peoples and so in this turbulent environment of the Middle East, Israel has many challenges. I'm confident that we will be strong enough to meet those challenges.

Paul: Is ISIS a threat to Israel and the Palestinians as well?

Mark: ISIS and this sort of militancy and extremism, is a threat to everyone. Let's be clear, they target Jews and Christians and other non-Muslims. They also target Muslims themselves who don't accept their very extreme brand of Islamism and its actually interesting, because of the threat posed by these extremists who threaten us all, we are seeing Israel working closely with Arab Governments to fight this common threat. It's bringing people together in this common struggle.

Paul: Israel has been facing many lone wolf attacks. We've had stabbings, shootings and car ramming attacks into bus stops. How can the nation deal with something like this when it's a lone wolf?

Mark: It's a problem and there is no simple answer, but let's be clear, it's Israel's problem, but it's not only Israel's problem. We've seen these sort of knifing attacks across Europe. We've seen these drive by attacks deliberately ramming civilians in Israel, but we've seen it in France. This phenomena of extremist Islamist terrorism is a threat to us all.

I wish I could tell you that I have a magic solution. I don't have a magic solution. We must be strong. One of the most important things in dealing in what is called lone wolf terrorism, is to deal with the incitement, because people are being radicalised. They are being poisoned by a message of hate that is there on the internet.

We have to deal with this issue of incitement. People are not born to hate, they are being taught to hate and we have to deal with the preachers of hate.

Paul: You have represented Israel in the media. Why is the media so biased against Israel?

Mark: The media is critical. I accept that as a fact. Some people would even argue that their job is to be critical. It's my job to make the best case I can for my country and I hope I am doing that.

Paul: Does it make you angry when they twist the story to denigrate Israel?