A controversial political figure spoke before hundreds of people at the University of Arkansas Tuesday, while about dozen more protested against him outside.
Former Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, was invited to speak as part of the university's Distinguished Lecture Series. He served as Prime Minister from 2006 to 2009, before resigning due to corruption charges.
He is in the process of speaking to colleges and universities across the country. The University of Arkansas paid him $50,000, which comes out the students' tuition.
The event was held at Barnhill Arena, where he spoke for about an hour on a number of topics, from Israeli-Palestinian conflict, to the Iranian nuclear power program to the United States' role in the Middle East. He then answered about 30 minutes worth of predetermined questions.
Outside, about a dozen protestors held signs up against Olmert, which said things like "bloody hands" and "war criminal."
"He was engaged in conflicts in Lebanon and Gaza where hundreds of civilians including hundreds of children were killed," said student Abel Tomlinson.
However, other students say, Olmert can be a vital tool on learning more about the Middle East. "This is about supporting U of A and the speaker that we brought here and regardless what side you're on it's cool we brought someone of this caliber to the University of Arkansas," said student Carter Ford.
Inside the arena, Olmert spoke about the protestors. "If someone wants to protest outside and say he doesn't agree with me or that the policies of Israel are wrong he's entitled to do it," said Olmert.
Olmert is also facing several charges of corruption, stemming back to when he was mayor of Jerusalem, from 1993 to 2003. The charges include Fraud and Breach of Trust. If convicted he could face up to five years in prison.
Former Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, was invited to speak as part of the university's Distinguished Lecture Series. He served as Prime Minister from 2006 to 2009, before resigning due to corruption charges.
He is in the process of speaking to colleges and universities across the country. The University of Arkansas paid him $50,000, which comes out the students' tuition.
The event was held at Barnhill Arena, where he spoke for about an hour on a number of topics, from Israeli-Palestinian conflict, to the Iranian nuclear power program to the United States' role in the Middle East. He then answered about 30 minutes worth of predetermined questions.
Outside, about a dozen protestors held signs up against Olmert, which said things like "bloody hands" and "war criminal."
"He was engaged in conflicts in Lebanon and Gaza where hundreds of civilians including hundreds of children were killed," said student Abel Tomlinson.
However, other students say, Olmert can be a vital tool on learning more about the Middle East. "This is about supporting U of A and the speaker that we brought here and regardless what side you're on it's cool we brought someone of this caliber to the University of Arkansas," said student Carter Ford.
Inside the arena, Olmert spoke about the protestors. "If someone wants to protest outside and say he doesn't agree with me or that the policies of Israel are wrong he's entitled to do it," said Olmert.
Olmert is also facing several charges of corruption, stemming back to when he was mayor of Jerusalem, from 1993 to 2003. The charges include Fraud and Breach of Trust. If convicted he could face up to five years in prison.
