Some of the darker aspects of love were hotly debated at British Friends of Haifa University's pre-Valentine's day event with Linda Kelsey, former editor of Cosmopolitan and She Magazine and Professor Aaron Ben-Ze'ev, president of the University and an expert on relationships and emotions.

The JC-sponsored event took place at the Hilton London Metropole and will benefit students and their families affected by the recent Carmel Forest fires. It began with a reception and live music and was attended by over 60 people.

Ms Kelsey questioned the professor of philosophy about his books: In the Name of Love – Romantic Ideology and its Victims and Love Online – Emotions on the Internet. These books are the result of research studies carried out at the Interdisciplinary Centre for Emotions at the University of Haifa, set up by Professor Ben-Ze'ev.

Topics ranged from whether it is possible to love two people at the same time, to online relationships and, chillingly, what drives a man to kill his wife? Research included interviewing people who had engaged in affairs and prisoners who had killed for love.

They also discussed the perception gap between the romantic ideologies of love as depicted in songs, films and television – "Why is it such a problem for modern society," asked Ms Kelsey.

Professor Ben-Ze'ev said: "Now is the best and worst time for love. People are less and less satisfied [with their lives] and more unwilling to be in a loveless relationship. The situation in modern society is not that good and divorce rates are 50% with ten percent more for second marriages. They are not sure about their partner's attitudes or their own attitudes. It is hard for people today to be happy with their lot."

Talking about the brother to whom his book is dedicated, he added: "Yehuda was my older brother. He was 32 when he was killed in the Six Day War. He was a kind of a poet, he didn't write about love but he was a very passionate and sensitive man."

The good news for love was that the internet had become "a very convenient place to meet people" but they warned that online romance was a "poor substitute for a real relationship."

Describing his books as "fascinating", Ms Kelsey said: "I've never met a professor of emotions, before - I think Aaron may be unique."

ENDS