A.B. Yehoshua on BBC's "Hardtalk." Photo: BBC

Acclaimed Israeli author A.B Yehoshua appeared on BBC’s “Hardtalk” recently to ostensibly discuss his new book, The Retrospective. The interview soon metamorphosed into a discussion of the larger issues of Israel and the Arabs as well as Israel and its identity.

The interview, which became contentious at times, was conducted by Tim Franks, the BBC’s former Middle East correspondent. At its conclusion it became apparent how exasperated Yehoshua had become, when he answered a question from Franks on whether or not he remained optimistic about Israel by saying, “This is what I’m doing with my friends in Israel, to work very hard that our Israeli state, the Jewish totality state will be functioning in peace with its environment, and I would say flourishing in the future,” then hesitated, adding “and recognized by you.”

Watch a video of the encounter below: