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T.A. peace simulation catches Lebanese guest off guard By Cnaan Liphshiz The smile was quickly leaving the face of the young Lebanese-American late Monday night. The student from Beirut had just learned that the peace event he was attending at Tel Aviv University wasn't organized by any university, but by a Zionist U.S.-based advocacy group working to improve Israel's image. "Are you serious? If this is true then I'm screwed," he said at a Tel Aviv night club, where participants were enjoying an informal night out. Fearing his attendance could create problems back home, the visitor insisted this article bear no mention of his true identity. Ghaleb Haddad (not his real name) entered Israel with a U.S. passport to attend the Middle East Students Conference, which the university had agreed to host. The event was organized by 10 TAU students in the framework of their one-year fellowship program with StandWithUs, a nonprofit from Los Angeles. Advertisement As reported by Haaretz, the event brought together some 50 students from 16 countries, including Arab states, to simulate a regional peace summit based on the Arab Initiative. Some of the other delegates were also confused about the organizers' affiliation. "I'm not sure right now who's exactly responsible for the event," one of the Palestinian delegates said at the club, "but it doesn't matter as long as they keep an objective and balanced program - which they more or less have." Other participants were better informed. "When I received the invitation, it explained about StandWithUs and carried the logo, so I immediately looked them up on the internet," said Sandra Marcinkeviciute from Lithuania, who was part of the team representing Israel in the model talks. "The invitation letters say we belong to StandWithUs," said 22-year-old Shirah Bergman, who directed and envisioned the project. "Maybe we should have repeated ourselves some more." Hadad's case, she said, is unusual because he arrived to the program "through a friend of a friend of a friend." Bergman, who is finishing her first year in economics and polisci, added the organizing group nonetheless sent Haddad the letter of invitation in advance. Mixed results As for the peace talks, the students managed to get Gilad Shalit released within hours, but fake news of a mega suicide attack in Tel Aviv caused Israel to halt the talks for a bit. Later, the Palestinians spurned any compromises on the refugee issues after Israel made concessions on Jerusalem. Ultimately, the parties opted for a 5-year memorandum bypassing the issue of Jerusalem, permanent borders and the Palestinian refugees. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Tears of joy Shahar Zubari's bronze medal was Israel's first of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. 'Germ of corruption' Mahmoud Ahmadinejad repeats his prediction that Israel will be wiped off the map.

Read & React Ahmadinejad: Israel is a germ of corruption that will be removed Responses: 139 Israel warns nationals of Hezbollah kidnap threat abroad Responses: 37 Sheetrit: Israel must not attack Iran, except in line of defense Responses: 26 Meron Benvenisti: Israel's greatest fear is a one-state solution Responses: 72 More Headlines 00:40 U.S. to Syria: Do not meddle in Russia-Georgia conflict 19:04 Livni: Time is running out for peace talks with Palestinians 16:28 State orders West Bank fence rerouted in favor of Palestinians 02:26 ANALYSIS / Fence relocation is acknowledgment that route is politically motivated 02:46 Prosecution to seek immunity for Talansky in U.S. 02:45 Barak: I'm not worried about being removed before elections 01:47 Study: Babies in womb during Six-Day War more likely to have schizophrenia 00:10 IN PICTURES / Olympians display their body art 00:26 Israeli tennis star Shahar Peer leads master class for N.Y. children 21:32 Life of top television presenter threatened, possibly by 'psychic' interviewee 22:28 Jordan urges world to press Israel to halt E. Jerusalem excavations 02:09 Israeli terror victims sue Chinese bank for funding Hamas, Islamic Jihad 19:47 Israel removes West Bank roadblock outside Ramallah 01:08 Happy birthday, Mr. President! Peres marks his 85th with trip to Negev Previous Editions Select Day 21 aug 20 aug 19 aug 18 aug 17 aug 15 aug 14 aug 13 aug 12 aug 11 aug 10 aug 08 aug

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