03.07.2016 | 20:18

Haaretz diplomatic correspondent Barak Ravid concluded the Haaretz Israel Conference with a discussion with Israel's new ambassador to the U.K. Mark Regev.

Regev said that Israel hopes the "travesty" of questioning Israeli politicians when they enter the U.K. will end soon, calling the questioning of Tzipi Livni a matter of "people exploiting legal loopholes for political purposes."

Regev said he enjoyed every moment of his nine years at the Israeli Prime Minister's Office, adding that "Netanyahu isn't motivated by political survival, he feels his historical duty is to safeguard Israel's security."

Regev said he has no doubt Netanyahu believes in two states for two peoples, adding that he can reach a deal with the Palestinians he can live with, he will bring the Israeli people with him. Tzipi Livni speaks at the Haaretz Conference in London, U.K., June 3, 2016. Shai Dolev

He said the Palestinians are making a historic mistake and hurting their own people by not agreeing to negotiate with Israel, adding that if a Palestinian state is a platform for continuing the conflict by other means, Israel is not interested.

Ravid asked Regev how he felt as a graduate of Socialist Zionist youth movement Ichud Habonim how he felt about Netanyahu's infamous election day remark about "Arab voters coming out in droves." Regev said he was very pleased that Netanyahu apologized.

Regarding the controversy surrounding Jeremy Corbyn and the British Labour Party, Regev said that "Israel and Labour have a historical relationship," noting that they viewed Zionism as a progressive cause. Regarding his personal opinion of Corbyn, Regev said "I don't know what's in his heart," saying he has made problematic statements about Israel. "I do know he seems to speak proudly of how his parents fought in Cable Street," Regev qualified, referring to the 1936 London battle aimed at halting the rise of Nazism and fascism in Britain. Regev said he has asked for a meeting with Corbyn and hopes he will answer his request soon.

Regev said there are many on the left in denial who ask how anyone progressive can be anti-Semitic, but noted that it is historically incorrect to say that being on the left means you're immune to anti-Semitism. Regev said that Labour set up an anti-Semitism commission because they thought they have a problem, an assessment Regev said he agrees with.