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Legal View with Ashleigh Banfield

Rabbis Killed in Jerusalem; Netanyahu Speaks to Press

Aired November 18, 2014 - 12:30   ET

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

ALAN DERSHOWITZ, AUTHOR, ATTORNEY: You can't let terrorism just go unanswered. On the other hand, you can't allow terrorists to ruin the possibility of some cooperative efforts...

ASHLEIGH BANFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: In a couple of decades, it's (inaudible) said those things.

DERSHOWITZ: Yes.

BANFIELD: And we are no different.

DERSHOWITZ: No.

BANFIELD: I would argue we are...

DERSHOWITZ: But remember, people seem to forget to get that in 2001, Israel offered the Palestinian a state, they rejected it. 2007, 2008, they offered them a state, they rejected it. So the blame is squarely on the Palestinian leadership for failing to accept two states solutions that have offered to them since 1938.

BANFIELD: And -- I mean there's definitely another side of that argument. I'm going to squeeze in a quick break because we don't want to miss the Israeli Prime Minister in his live remarks. You stay?

DERSHOWITZ: Sure.

BANFIELD: Quick break. Back live within moments with the Israeli Prime Minister's response to this terror attack in Jerusalem this morning.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BANFIELD: We're back on Legal View. Thank so much for being with. We've been covering this terror attack in Jerusalem this morning.

Four rabbis killed in a synagogue where they prayed, three of them American citizens, one of them British-born, and the aftermath a horrific scene. The weapons of choice of the killers, knives, hatchets, and a gun that wasn't used. You can imagine just the terror that that has instilled in so many people who are in Israel.

This was in Jerusalem this morning and the Israeli Prime Minister has already responded and he will take to the airwaves in minutes with a more formal press conference and response. In the meantime, some pictures from Jerusalem, you can see some of the police presence. One of the government spokespeople on this program just a few minutes

ago saying that there will be a stepped up police presence, understandably, throughout that country. What that will mean otherwise though in terms of the reaction and how the Israeli government response to this attack is yet to be known, is yet to be seen. But you can see those who have turned out, were expecting, I think the funerals for those four to happen within the next 24 to 48 hours.

In the meantime, the response that so far has been that the two attackers were shot dead by the police where they were at that scene, and arrests are reportedly underway of their families and the plan is to just demolish their homes and the homes where their families live as well.

I want to welcome our American viewers and our viewers from around the world as we continue to cover this very tragic story of this terror attack. And also just a reminder to you, this happened this morning. We're expecting in just a few moments that the Israeli Prime Minister will have some public comments about this terror attack in which 4 rabbis were murdered with meat cleaver-wielding assassins. They brought knives, they brought a gun that wasn't use, they brought hatchet or machetes, and the murder scene was horrific and graphic.

We've been showing some of the pictures but if there are children who are near the television, we strongly urge you to perhaps shield them from this coverage. It's important to see the violent nature in which these attacks were carried out. It's important to make sure that children aren't exposed to it as well.

You can see some of the pictures that have been coming into us from Israel, some of the comments as well. The destruction that has been wrought (ph) upon the souls of so many to see men of peace murdered where they prayed, and that was exactly what they were doing. They were at prayer when the attackers burst in and slaughtered them.

The response though so far, we don't know other than what the Prime Minister has said. But there will be heavy handed response. He has not clarified what it means. An Israeli spokesperson -- a government spokesperson did say it will mean an increased police presence, that they will of after those who did this.

Here is the tweet from the Prime Minister of Israel, "We will respond with a heavy hand to the brutal murder of Jews who came to pray and were met by reprehensible murderers."

For his part, the American president, President Obama had a response to this as well, let's have a look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, U.S. PRESIDENT: We know that two attackers senselessly and brutally attacked innocent worshipper in the synagogue during their morning prayers. Obviously, we condemn in the strongest terms these attacks. A number of people were wounded and four people were killed including three American citizens, so this would probably provoke nations, Israel, as well as the United States. And our hearts go out to the families who obviously are undergoing enormous grief right now.

Secretary Kerry has spoken to Prime Minister Netanyahu. President Abbas has strongly condemned the attacks.

Tragically, this is not the first loss of lives that we have seen in recent months. Too many Israelis have died, too many Palestinians have died. And at this difficult time, I think it's important for both Palestinians and Israelis to try to work together to lower tension and to reject violence.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BANFIELD: I want to bring some of the pictures forward of the at least two of the victims that CNN has been able to gather. Two of the victims, one of them named Aryeh Kupinsky -- actually -- let me change that. Avraham Shmuel Goldberg is one of the victims and Moshe Twersky is another one of the victims in this attack.

Again, a reminder, if you're joining us, that the Prime Minister of Israel is about to speak at any moment. And again, the situation just unfolding is as far as what the reaction of the Israeli government will be to this.

I want to bring in Ben Wedeman who is live on the scene for us with a little bit more just detail and color as to what has unfolded since this attack happened. Ben.

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SR. INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, what we saw, we were in the area, Har Nof, where this attack took place just before 7:00. And we were waiting -- we were watching for instances, they were watching that there were workers washing blood off the pavement. The bodies were still inside the synagogue. There were large crowd of people waiting outside. Some of them chanting, "Death to the terrorist."

This attacked took place just before 7:00 in the morning while around a dozen men were inside the synagogue for morning prayers, when these two Palestinians burst in. They were armed according to the Israeli police, with knives, axes. We saw pictures of what appeared to be meat cleavers. They also had a 9 millimeter pistol. These are two men in their 20's, cousins from the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Jabel Mukaber.

Now, we understand that the Israeli -- well, we saw a statement from the Prime Minister's office saying that Israel will demolish the homes of these two Palestinians in the East Jerusalem, where I understand their clash is ongoing at this moment.

And in addition to that, the Israelis are going to be hiking up security around the Jerusalem but particularly focusing on those neighborhoods of East Jerusalem which have been the scene of clashes now for quite some time. There were clashes yesterday, more clashes today and really going back essentially 'till June, there has been a high level of tension in the city. Ashleigh. BANFIELD: And exactly, what do things looks like on the street. When

Mark Regeve, the spokersperson for the Israeli government suggested that the response will be seriously increased presence of police enforces. Are you seeing that?

WEDEMAN: Well, we are in West Jerusalem where there doesn't seem to be a dramatically increased security presence, but we understand that the Israelis Security Forces have for instance placed concrete blocks in some Palestinian neighborhoods to block cars from coming and going. And that we are also hearing that tomorrow, some of those neighborhoods will have checkpoints outside of them.

So, the focus isn't so much in this part of Jerusalem but it's in the East where about 35 -- 30 percent of the population Palestinians live in this city. And it's important to keep in mind that East Jerusalem is an area which under normal conditions, under normal circumstances, the residents can come to the west and vice versa, as opposed to the west bank where there is a wall, where there are checkpoints.

So, it's something of a problem for this city to impose a partial blockade on the eastern part of the city because so many Palestinians work in the western side as well. Ashleigh.

BANFIELD: Ben, if you can standby for a moment, I -- I'm going to ask you a question and then, after the break, I'd like you to answer this for me.

There were three American rabbis in that slaughter and one British foreign rabbi and I think a lot of people are wondering if that was specific, if it was planned or if it would happen (inaudible) that they happen to have this citizenship that they did. I'm going to squeeze in a quick break as we wait for the Israeli Prime Minister to take to the live mics and give his responses as well.

Ben Wedeman is going to be with us live after the break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BANFIELD: I want to welcome our viewers here in the United States and around the world, as we continue our coverage of this terrible attack in Jerusalem.

Four rabbis murdered as they prayed, three of them American, one of them British-born. Two knife-wielding terrorists breaking into synagogue while those men prayed and effectively butchering them to death before police were able to response and kill those attackers in their place. There were several other injuries as well including one of the police who's responding.

And at this point, amid a bloody aftermath and a horrific seen in that synagogue, the government is responding. They're saying that there will be a heavy-handed response to this and the Prime Minister himself, Benjamin Netanyahu, was expected to be behind the microphone about 14 minutes ago, and we are still awaiting that live news conference. You can see the small window in the picture where they're getting ready for him to take to that microphone. In the meantime, I want to show you some pictures that have just come in to CNN. And these are pictures of Palestinian who are celebrating this attack in the street. You can see knives and hatchet-wielding men. You can also see women throwing pieces of candies, somewhat reminiscent of post-9/11 when they threw candy in the street serving sweets to people who are passing by, the celebration of the four rabbis who were murdered this morning inside there synagogue.

This will not be pictures that go over well in many parts of the world, and other parts of the world, perhaps in sympathy for these kinds of celebrations. But none the less, this could be one of those turning points in this ongoing battle between these parties in the Middle East.

I want to bring in our Ben Wedeman, who is live in Jerusalem. Ben, before the break I asked you that question. Three American rabbis, one British-born rabbi, was that any accident that they were that citizenship.

WEDEMAN: Well, the Israeli police are not suggesting that there is any -- that that may have been one of the reasons behind this attack. We understand that one of the attackers apparently did work in a store in that area, so he fairly familiar with some of the people who live in the neighborhood, with the rhythms of the neighborhood, but there's no indication at this point that they were the targets because of there dual nationalities. It's import and they keep in mind that all four of them also had Israeli nationality.

Now as far as any sort of possible affiliation of the attackers, there has been a statement from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, the PFLP, which is an old Marxist secular militant Palestinian organization, suggesting that these man perhaps were members of the organizations but there was not a direct claim of responsibility of for this attack. But as I said, at this point the Israeli police are not making any connections between the dual nationalities of the four rabbis who were murdered this morning and the attack, Ashleigh.

BANFIELD: And then Ben, what of the response so far, just with regard to the killers. There have reports from family members of the killer that their entire family, I think 13 somewhat people have been arrested from sisters to brothers to parents, and that if it hasn't already happen, there is a plan to demolish the homes, the family homes of those, of those killers. Do you know anything more about that?

WEDEMAN: That is correct. We saw a statement from the Prime Minister's office stand that those homes would be demolished, and we understand at some relatives have been brought in, probably for questioning more than anything else, not necessarily charge with any link to the attack. But this is not unusually in these instances, the Israeli Security Forces have a lot of experience with this sort of thing. And so, there are probably trying to get us much information out of relatives as possible, not necessarily charging them for a link with the crime, Ashleigh. BANFIELD: And Ben, if you could stand by for just one moment. I also want to include to this conversation, author, attorney and scholar, Alan Dershowitz, his latest book is "Terror Tunnels, The Case for Israel's Just War against Hamas". I think you saw at the very moment that I thought for the first time some of the pictures that we were airing of the celebrations in the street.

One of the more distasteful ones perhaps to the Iraq men wielding hatchet...

DERSHOWITZ: Right.

BANFIELD:... and a knife. You can see them in the plasma here behind you. I suppose not a surprise, we have seen these kinds of celebrations of terror attacks in the past.

DERSHOWITZ: Well, that's the big difference when Israel and Israel's enemies. When an Israeli attacks somebody, they're condemned universally, they're immediately arrested. But when Palestinian kill Israeli's at prayer, they parks after them. I'm talking about the Palestinian authority now. They make them into heroes, they put up posters of them. The President of Palestinian and attorney sends letters of condolence to family. Yes he can condemns the attack at one side of his mouth, but out of the other side of his mouth, he incentivizes and insights the attacks.

So, there's no moral equivalence between Israel and the Palestinian authority or Hamas when it comes to toleration of terrorism. One group encourages, the other group discourages and that's proved by these pictures.

BANFIELD: And we've seen some of the pictures being held up, presumable by family or friends or some sort of representative of those two attackers this morning. And I've been there a lot, enough to know about the pictures that you talk about. There are shrines, there are billboards with all of those who have carried out attacks in the past. They are celebrated for eternity it seems, and I almost expect that within hour, there will be these posters of these two men's faces up as well in centers like Romola (ph) and other places like that.

DERSHOWITZ: Yes, and that not only Hamas -- and by the way this is not the group that claimed credit. The group that claimed credit is a secular group, they wouldn't have pick a synagogue, I don't think. It's sounds to me like probably if there was any group behind it, it was more of a religiously-inspired group.

BANFIELD: Just one last question really quickly to Ben Wedeman before I let you go, Ben, and that is the, the other side of the coin, you know, Alan Dershowitz just said, this doesn't happen amongst Israelis, there's no celebration -- in fact I'm going to stop that question and I'm going to go live to Benjamin Netanyahu.

BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, PRIME MINISTER, ISRAEL (through translator): We're in the midst a terror attack that is concentrated on Jerusalem. Today in the middle of the morning prayers, all covered in prayer

shawls and (inaudible), four rabbis were massacred, four Jews, innocent Jews, pure Jews, Avraham Shmuel Goldberg, Moshe Twersky, Arye Kupinsky, Kalmen Levin, a blessed memory.

We send hereby our condolences to the families and the speedy recovery to the injured, among whom are brave great policemen who prevented through their actions even bigger catastrophe.

Those human animals that committed this massacre came with great hatred and incitement. The deep hatred and incitement against the Jewish people and its state.

The Hamas, the Islamic Movement and the Palestinian authority disseminate libels against the state of Israel. They say that the Jews impurify the Temple Mount. They say that our intention is to demolish those sacred places, that we intend to change the prayer services. These are all lies, and these lies have already taken their toll, have taken a price.

They took the life of a three months old baby, Chaye Zisel Braun. A little baby who was going from the Western Wall, her first visit to the Western Wall with her parents. They wanted to thank God, that God gave her to them, and they took her life.

Chaye Zisel, (inaudible), (inaudible), the police officer, (inaudible) the youngster, and Amnon Shiloni (ph) and Dalia Lemkos.

All pure souls, all victims of this awful incitement. And today they were joined by more victims as a result of this blood that libel - yes, blood libel of the type of those blood libels that are engraved in our memories.

Yesterday, a bus driver from East Jerusalem committed suicide, he committed suicide and even the reports from the pathologist that were publically published prove that he committed suicide but it did not prevent from the inciting forces to disseminate that blood libel as if he was murdered by Jews. And this incitement contributed to the awful murder that took places morning, in a sacred place in time of prayer, but what is the most shocking is that it's not just the cruelty of the massacre, but also the cries of glee and joy in Gaza, in Bethlehem and in other places, where candy was handed out, where fireworks was set off, where praises were heard to the shahids.

This time, it is true Abu Mazen condemned this attack, this massacre and I'm glad he did so. And I remember he also condemned the murder of those three youth, but it is not enough, because later on, the continuation of that sentence, after he condemned the murder today, he connected it to all sorts of imaginary events that ostensibly Israel performed in Temple Mount, which did not take place.

In the Palestinian authority, these daily incitement, every single hour and they turn those murderers into heroes, into cultural heroes, but there is ongoing incitement against the very existence of the state of Israel, against the security of the citizens of the Israel constantly through the schools, in the media, in the mosques. And this is the root of the conflict, this refusal to recognize and to educate the new generation to the existence of the state of Israel.

Last week, I flew to Jordan and held a very important meeting there in Amman with the King of Jordan, Abdullah, and with John Kerry, secretary of State. And together we called to calm spirits down to bring back peace and tranquility. Unfortunately the answer we got from the Palestinian authority was a different proclamation and today, we all saw the result.

The world looks upon this massacre, but unfortunately, it is not demand of the Palestinian to stop this awful incitement against Israel, which is the very root of the conflict. I call to all the leaders of the cultural world, the civilized world. I would like to see shock, I would like to see a condemnation and real uprooting, non- compromising, of these deeds, these murder of Israelis, of Jews. Do not discriminate between blood and blood. When there are other deeds of murder, you do reflect that shock, you condemn.

But when I see a little baby, three-months old murdered, when I see these Jews praying, praying covered in prayers shawls in a synagogue, a sacred place to us, just like a church or a mosque is sacred to its people, I expect to hear at least that very same condemnation, uncompromising and with no reservation.

Unfortunately, those who still insist, even during this day, to award the Palestinians with a prize. Again, with the one-sided proclamation of the Palestinian State that does not even recognized the Jewish State. We cannot tolerate this reality, and that is why we will beat terrorism. We will uphold law and order and security in all the streets of Jerusalem.

I decided this evening to demolish the homes of the terrorists who committed this massacre and to accelerate the demolishment of the homes of the previous terrorists. And to enforce law, to make punishment more severe and to outlaw all sorts of organizations. And I also gave the orders to increase security in Jerusalem. Yes, there are defense deeds as well, defense activities that we do.

The citizens of Israel, I call upon you to please be aware, be alert, please abide by the law. We will pay all those terrorism, those who sent them, we have proven to be able to do so, but nobody, nobody must take the law to his or her hands.

Even when times are stormy, even when the blood boils, we are in the middle of an ongoing and long war of terrorism that did not begin today. Terrorism has escorted us throughout the years of the Zionist enterprise. We always we're victorious, we always beat it. We will do so this time. There are those who wish to uproot us from our capital, from our land. They will not be successful. We -- this is a battle over Jerusalem, our eternal capital.

We have to unify forces at such a time -- this is time of need. We always have to unite in times of need. We have to place aside all those little conflicts and to unite around this big central thing, which is defending Jerusalem and upkeeping the safety of the citizens of Israel.