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CNN Live At Daybreak

Recent Violence in Mideast Motivates Many Marchers at Salute to Israel Parade

Aired May 06, 2002 - 05:05   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: The recent violence in the Middle East has motivated many of the marchers at this year's Salute to Israel Parade. But even amidst the outpouring of support, CNN's Brian Palmer reports there were voices of dissent.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRIAN PALMER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The show of support for Israel was tremendous, a parade seemingly without end.

BRUCE APFEL, X-RAY TECHNOLOGIST: I feel very, very happy to be here and just show our support.

PALMER: Thousands of ordinary people along with public figures, who made clear their reasons for marching.

ALON PINKAS, ISRAELI CONSUL GENERAL: This year I have to say that there is some merit to the idea that now we feel that we need this expression of solidarity and support, perhaps more than previously.

PALMER: Why is it important for you to be out here today supporting Israel?

SEN. CHARLES SCHUMER (D), NEW YORK: Well, Israel's war on terrorism is America's war on terrorism. Suicide bombers, whether they fly planes into buildings or strap explosives to themselves and blow themselves up, are a danger to any civilized nation in the world.

SEN. HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON (D), NEW YORK: The real burden falls on the shoulders of Yasser Arafat. He and his colleagues have to renounce violence once and for all.

PALMER: The mood of the parade changes on this stretch of Fifth Avenue starting at 58th Street. This is where the counter protesters are. Some of them are simply pro-Palestinian. Others are militantly anti-Israel. But there is militance and anger on both sides, as well as some of the same ugly language.

UNIDENTIFIED PROTESTORS: Nazis across the street! Nazis across the street!

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Blow yourself up! Blow yourself up! PALMER: Among the demonstrators, calmer voices.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm Jewish. I'm here to show that I oppose what Israel has been doing in Palestine. The Palestinians have a right to national sovereignty, to self-determination and not to be murdered.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think that not enough people in the United States stand up for Palestine. I think our Congress has shown that the U.S. shows a lot of support for Israel and I don't want my tax dollars going to massacre innocent civilians in Palestine.

PALMER: Under the watchful eye of thousands of police officers, the floats, the marchers, the dancers headed uptown without further incident.

Brian Palmer, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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