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U.S. Diplomatic HQ In Israel Shifts To Jerusalem; Trump's Embassy Move Sparked Anger in Middle East; Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif On Diplomatic Tour To Save Nuclear Deal; Palestinian Teenager Dies Following Gaza Protest; Young Arabs Support Saudi Crown Prince; British Armed Forces Prepare For Royal Wedding. Aired 11-12p ET
Aired May 13, 2018 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[10:00:00] FAREED ZAKARIA, CNN ANCHOR: Asia dominated OAG's rankings of the world's busiest international itineraries with eight of the ten most
frequent trips originating and arriving in Asian cities. Thanks to all of you for being part of my program this week. I will see you next week.
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN ANCHOR: Hello and welcome to CONNECT THE WORLD, I'm Becky Anderson coming to you with a very special show from Jaffa Gates this
hour inside the historic walls of old city of Jerusalem on the eve of what is a historic move. In less than 24 hours, the U.S. will officially open
its embassy here just months after U.S. President announced what is this controversial move recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital. And the
timing is key. The opening coincides with the anniversary of Israel's founding in 1948, a celebration for Israelis but mourned by Palestinians as
a national tragedy. That saw them lose their homes, and their land. And of course the Muslim month of Ramadan starts this week. Let's kick off
this hour with CNN Correspondent based in Jerusalem Oren Liebermann is live outside the embassy at the center of the controversy. Oren?
OREN LIEBERMANN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Becky, this is where the event will happen tomorrow to open the official U.S. embassy in Israel. They have a
number of signs, some of which they plan on veiling tomorrow. When you get a sense how big this is for the State Department and for Israel and for
America, just with these size of the festivities here and the size of what they're planning a giant video screen for a message from President Donald
Trump, as well as signs over the place, the U.S., the Israeli flags hanging both inside the embassy and outside the embassy to welcome what will be an
historic day here.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LIEBERMANN: Israel recently marked its 70th birthday with celebrations and speeches. Among the reasons for the Israeli leaders to celebrate was this.
BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, PRIME MINISTER, ISRAEL: We are delighted with President Trump's decision to move the embassy here. It says a simple
thing, peace must be based on truth.
LIEBERMANN: But why is this such a big deal? Israel has always seen Jerusalem as its capital city. Why not the rest of the world? A bit of
history here. Israel was established in 1948. Jerusalem was a split city between Israel and Jordan for nearly two decades after that until 1967 when
Israel occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank. When Israel annexed East Jerusalem in 1980, countries pulled their embassies out of the city in
protest. That's because East Jerusalem is supposed to be the capital of a future Palestinian state. The U.S. meanwhile had its embassy in Tel Aviv.
In 1995, the U.S. passed a law requiring the country to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, but every president since then, Republican and
Democrat has waived the move citing national security concerns. President Donald Trump promised during his campaign to move the embassy, a promise he
kept in December.
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: But today we finally acknowledge the obvious, that Jerusalem is Israel's capital. This is
nothing more or less than a recognition of reality.
LIEBERMANN: So where will the new embassy be located? Right here behind me in what's the U.S. office for consulate services, this is where you'd
come to renew a passport or apply for a visa. The building itself sits right next to the green line which delineates East from West Jerusalem. It
sits firmly in West Jerusalem but an expansion to the building to make it the embassy will require some building in no man's land, which is a sort of
buffer zone between East and West Jerusalem. It holds very little practical significance in terms of modern-day Jerusalem and yet that zone
retains incredible political importance. The mayor of Jerusalem celebrated the official opening by posting the new road signs.
NIR BARKAT, MAYOR, JERUSALEM: It sends a very, very clear message to Jerusalemites and other, the intention and the back and the support Israel
has in sovereignty of the city of Jerusalem.
LIEBERMANN: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said more countries were looking at moving the embassies at Jerusalem as well. So far only
Guatemala and Paraguay have committed to taking that step.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LIEBERMANN: Some of the events surrounding the official opening of the U.S. Embassy here in Jerusalem have already started. Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu hosting an event or reception in fact at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcoming in the American delegation led by Trump's son-in-
law Jared Kushner, his daughter Ivanka Trump and many others there at the ceremonies. The celebrations will continue after tomorrow as well. Becky?
[11:05:00] ANDERSON: Oren, a confluence of the events then with what is known as Jerusalem day being celebrated certainly here in this part of
Jerusalem, behind me, the opening of the embassy on Monday and then not by the day that the Palestinians view the establishment of the State of Israel
of course very differently, not by an Arabic meaning catastrophe. Just how concerned are authorities here about security as we move into what could be
a very emotive week, of course, the beginning of Ramadan possibly midweek as well?
LIEBERMANN: Absolutely. There are a number of flash points throughout the week. today is one of them. Tomorrow, the day after that, (INAUDIBLE)
days as you pointed out, and then the beginning of Ramadan, any one of these days could start not only demonstrations and protests, which are
expected, but it could escalate from there. It is a very volatile week. In terms of preparations, we know there's added security both here at the
embassy from the Israelis and from the Americans, from the marines as well as added security at other embassies and other consulate locations
throughout the Middle East and perhaps other places as well. Beyond that, the Israeli military has added soldiers both around Gaza, two brigades
there, one brigade in the West Bank. So all of this security forces both in the military and outside are preparing for that volatile week because of
how sensitive so many days are this week, there is an expectation, think it's almost certain that there will be widespread protest and
demonstrations. The question is how big, how wide, where and how would they escalate?
ANDERSON: Oren Liebermann, there outside what will be the new U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem. Well, my next guest has a wealth of knowledge on this city
and what this embassy move could mean, not just for the city but for region. He is the Founding Editor of the Times of Israel. David Horovitz
is also former Editor of the Jerusalem Post and a regular guest on our show when we are here. On Thursday, David, you wrote an article after the
exchange of fire between Israel and Iran, and you said, and I quote, "This round of the conflict constituted a decisive success for Israel but it was
just that, only around in the conflict against a regime in Tehran that works relentlessly for the destruction of Israel, huge unrest between these
nations, also of course increasingly violent protests in Gaza. Is this embassy opening chucking fuel on what are already these incredible flames
in the region?
DAVID HOROVITZ, FOUNDING EDITOR, THE TIMES OF ISRAEL: I would distinguish between the two, Becky. Iran is -- this regime in Iran is utterly hostile
to Israel. It wants to see Israel destroyed. He can't even bring itself to say the name Israel. And there's nothing that's going to happen is
going to change that regime's attitude. And that would move on to the issue of the embassy in Jerusalem and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The Palestinians are very upset that the Americans (INAUDIBLE) the embassy in Jerusalem because they say this prejudges one of the core issues that
has to be resolved through negotiations.
The Israelis would say as President Trump has said, Jerusalem has been the capital of the Jewish state of the Jewish nation for 3,000 years. He's
only recognizing you know, the obvious and the final status of the city does indeed have to be negotiated. (INAUDIBLE) across Israel, this is
supported. Our Defense Minister said you know, there may be a price to pay in violence, we would hope not, but this would be a price that we should be
prepared to pay. I think one other issues they think, President Obama's ambassador to Israel, Dan Shapiro and the Obama Administrant had a
different stance on some issues to the Trump Administration, has indicated you know, maybe this was overdue, the argument being it doesn't prejudge
the final full status of Jerusalem but it does recognize a historical reality.
ANDERSON: The Trump Administration, Donald Trump himself, suggesting to all intents and purposes -- if you describe this as a poker game perhaps
not the best analogy but you know, the stakes are high, have offered a hand to Jerusalem with the opening of this embassy. Now, it is up to Israel to
offer something back. But the problem is since we've heard about the opening of this embassy, we have heard nothing more from the Trump
Administration as to where they believe the peace process might go next. And so there will be many people around this region, Palestinians, plus,
plus, who say what are we getting back from this?
HOROVITZ: Well, you know, the -- one of the things that people say is Trump is you know, very supportive of Israel and so on. I would just
remind you as the Trump -- he came to Israel earlier in his presidency than any American president, but he went to the West Bank as well and he hosted
Abbas at the White House. And when he was speaking in Israel last year, he said I think the Palestinians are ready to reach for peace. But after he
made his announcements, the Palestinians said, that's it, we're not talking to you anymore, we're boycotting you. And then the Palestinian leadership
Mahmoud Abbas made a couple of really deeply problematic and hostile speeches, anti-Semitic speeches. So there is a disconnect there. In that
climate, it is hard for the U.S. Administration to try to move forward.
[11:10:14] ANDERSON: U.S. President Donald Trump's daughter of course and White House Adviser Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, U.S. President Donald
Trump's son-in-law and Senior Adviser meeting the U.S. Ambassador to Israel earlier today, these are I think some the pictures as they arrive here to
attend tomorrow's opening. Hugs, smile all around. The embassy move may be symbolic in many ways. But what has it done, do you think, for
relations between the two countries?
HOROVITZ: Well, I would stress the relations between the two governments. Israelis are very conflicted on you know, on all political issues, but the
relationship between the Netanyahu government and the Trump Administration is extremely warm. There' very close cooperation there. They don't agree
on everything. I think Israel wishes that the United States was pressing a little harder with regard to Syria tory and make sure that the Russians
don't let the Iranians set up a military presence there but it's a very close relationship between the two governments and you know, you see it
playing out and you will see it playing out in the next few days.
ANDERSON: We've talked about just how emotive this week could be. I mean, you know, the stakes could not be higher to a certain extent. How
concerned are you?
HOROVITZ: I think there's always potential for escalations and so on. You know, I'm very worried. We don't even talk about it. In Southern Lebanon,
there's an organization called Hezbollah with 140,000 rockets and missiles pointed at Israel and if you want them to, they're capable of attacking. I
don't know what's going to happen on the Gaza border where Hamas which is - - again, dedicated to destroying Israel, wants the masses to try and breach the border. So there is potential for violence. But this is a hostile and
difficult region and hopefully, you know, calmer mind will prevail and the events this week will pass off relatively calm.
ANDERSON: And the events this week of course followed by that decision by Donald Trump to pull out of the Iran deal. We've talked over the past
what, week or so now about where this region is at. It feels like the very order of the Middle East is at stake. Is it?
HOROVITZ: Well, I think -- you know, a friend of mine often says the Middle East is the dinner guest that won't go home and there's a sense here
that you know, things are percolating. You know, if you ask me, the key threats I think is Iran and I worry that that deal gave them resources and
emboldened them. And really the challenge has fallen to Israel now to try and stop them at least in establishing themselves in Syria. The more
control and the more bold -- the more boldness you see from Iran, the more influence you see from Iran in this part of the world, I think the more you
have to worry.
ANDERSON: Many will say that. Trump's pulling o of the deal has actually emboldened the hardliners in Iran. Do you believe so?
HOROVITZ: Well, It's very complicated. But I definitely see that within the parameters of that deal, the Iranians were able to continue some of
their R&D and they got a great deal of money. That was a problematic framework as far as I'm concerned.
ANDERSON: It's very windy up here. David, thank you for coping. You came in better than I am. Thank you for the time being. That was his
(INAUDIBLE). Founding Editor of the Times of Israel and former Editor of the Jerusalem Post with some insights for you there. Well, Israel says it
will upgrade protection for its northern communities near the border with Lebanon and Syria. $42 million slated to be spent on fortifications in
dozens of towns by the end of the year. The move comes as tensions with Iran soars in new heights in the wake of last week's cross-border fight.
Israel says, it -- almost all of Iran's military capabilities in Syria after what it says was an Iranian missile attack on the Golan Heights.
Well, Nic Robertson is following developments from the Golan Heights and joins me, Nic, from there with the very latest, sir.
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: You know, Becky, since that exchange of fire, iron dome rockets, Israeli iron dome rockets
intercepting the Iranian rockets coming from -- coming from just over the border behind me in Syria and Israel's response firing not on o Iranian
positions but when they were engaged by Syrian air defense system striking some of those air defense systems as well. It's been quiet along the
border here. There hasn't been an exchange of fire. But as you said -- Oren Liebermann, Israel's Defense Minister announcing that large security
spend by the end of this year. That's a -- you know, we're talking about eight months now at the end of this year, $42 million to help secure
villages that this -- and towns that the government now thinks may be vulnerable, either implication being from Hezbollah across the border in
Lebanon or strikes from Iranian positions inside Syria. That gives you a very strong sense of where Israel perceives their problems might be coming
from.
We've heard strong language this week not only from Israeli Prime Mister Benjamin Netanyahu who's saying, you know, Israel will not tolerate a
build-up of Iranian weapon systems inside Syria that threaten here, threaten inside Israel, and we've heard from the defense minister as well
saying he's got a very clear message from President Assad, send the Iranians home, send the Kurds forces homes, send their commandos home
because as long as the Iranians are inside building military bases, that will not provide a sound future for the Syrian people. Get rid of the
Iranians he said, and there can be a good life going forward. This was a message for President Assad so it is a very clear, if you will, not
escalation of rhetoric but a much more precise use of rhetoric here that Israel will also hold President Assad responsible for Iranian deployments
and build up inside Syria.
[11:15:59] ANDERSON: From the White House side this week, Nic, comments at the events of this week and I quote, are further proof that the Iranian
regime's reckless actions pose a severe threats to regional peace and security. From the Palestinian's side, the opening f the U.S. Embassy here
in Jerusalem, one commentator said feels like salt in the wound as the ceremony takes place on the anniversary of Israel's founding, a day they
call the (INAUDIBLE) or disaster. When you hear the White House talking about the reckless Iranian regime and then you hear from the Palestinians
about what they would believe as a very reckless move by the White House to open this embassy, where do we stand at this point? I mean, much talk,
much talk in this region that we are on the cusp of a much worse regional war. Are we?
ROBERTSON: Certainly this raises concerns. I mean, Iran's reaction to fire rockets towards Israel indicated the strategic restraint that they
had, this decision not to fire back at Israel where over recent months Israel had fired at Iranian military facilities inside Syria that they felt
were a strategic threat to the safety and security of Israelis here, that those Israeli strikes on Iranian assets on the ground there had killed some
Iranian forces, Iranians hadn't fired back and shown what diplomats called strategic restraint. But the question, therefore, was because Iran fired
on to Israel right after President Trump made that announcement, pulling Iran Nuclear Agreement, was that strategic restraint then lifted? We're
still in a position of is it the hardliners or moderates in Tehran that are going to win? Are the hardliners going to try and outmaneuver them
(INAUDIBLE) create fights on the ground, have more strikes that will create a dynamic that whereby the moderates have lost the initiative.
Right now the moderates in Iran are saying it's up to the European leaders to save this agreement. But just before I go, broadly speaking, the three
major events, a most significant President Trump pulling out of that deal has opened a rift between him and European diplomats, specifically, France,
Britain, and Germany. United States' decision to announce Jerusalem as a capital of Israel and open an embassy there again has opened a rift. It's
different position towards European countries and the way that -- the way that the United States has stood more strongly behind Israel, less critical
where on the European nations, more critical of Israel over what -- over the way they've handled this protest in Gaza, a three very stark instances
where the United States and its European partners are rifting apart. So when you talk about stability in the Middle East, these are countries that
worked together to underpin that stability that's drifting apart, that tells you a lot, Becky.
ANDERSON: Yes, and you've heard a dearth of support for the opening of this U.S. Embassy from the Europeans as well. Again, you know, that rift
it seems widening. Nic, thank you for that. Much talk of the U.S. Embassy move involves two key questions here. How will it impact the peace process
and how does it change the status of the city? Well, CNN Global Affairs Analyst Aaron David Miller tackles those issues and more on cnn.com. He
says there are five myths about the decision that need to be put to rest. Head over to cnn.com for his take live from Jaffa Gate in Jerusalem. This
is CONNECT THE WORLD, I'm Becky Anderson. Coming up, we will take you to Tehran as Iran makes a last-ditch effort abroad to salvage that nuclear
deal. Back after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:20:00] ANDERSON: Well, live from Jerusalem, you're watching CNN. This is CONNECT THE WORLD with me Becky Anderson, a very warm welcome back. And
if you are just joining us, you will have more than welcome. Another major U.S. policy shift escalating tensions in this, the Middle East. Iran's
Foreign Minister is on a diplomatic talk to effectively salvage the Iran Nuclear Deal after the U.S. backed out of the agreement last week. Zarif
is now in Beijing and will later travel to Russia and to Brussels. Meanwhile, Iran's President says the nation will remain committed to the
accord if its interests are ensured. CNN's Frederick Pleitgen joins us now from Tehran. While the Foreign Minister is on the move, we are hearing
from the supreme leader -- I'm sorry, from the President, Iran seems committed to showing that America is isolating itself, Fred.
FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, I think there's really two elements to Iran's stance at the moment. I think on the one
hand, you have the domestic political stance here in Iran and of course, you have those diplomatic efforts that are going on abroad. Now, I think
one of the things that was very important, Becky, here at home for the Iranian government was to get hardliners on board with what President
Rouhani wants and also with what Javad Zarif wants, which is exactly what you were just saying. The Iranians are saying they want to salvage this
agreement minus the United States but want to make sure that their interests are protected.
And it is interesting as you also said that the Iranian Supreme Leader has come out. He says he does not trust the Europeans to try to salvage this
deal but he is willing to give all of this a chance. So you do have the hardliners and the more moderate factions here in this country at this
point in time at least seemingly on the same page. Now, as far as Javad Zarif's trip is concerned which is so very important, in the effort to try
to salvage the deal, right now is probably the easiest part. He's going to China. China is very much on board with this deal. China wants to
continue to invest here, has already done so on a large scale over the past years. The Russians still very much committed to the deal.
The big question is going to be what are the Europeans going to do because they have by far the most power to invest here in Iran. It's the kind of
investment the Iranians want. They want European companies in here. They want European money in here. They want European jobs in here as well and
technological transfer also. So that's going to be very important. And the big question is are the Europeans willing to take on Americans and try
to find some diplomatic way to able help their companies invest here in this country while at the same time maintaining relations with the Trump
Administration. It's a tall order, it very difficult but it's what the Iranians say they need if they want to maintain this deal. They say they
have to be able to reap the benefits. As the government here put it, if that's not the case, the Iranians say they are willing to walk away from
the agreement but that would mean they start uranium enrichment once again, Becky.
[11:25:49] ANDERSON: Fred Pleitgen is in Tehran for you. Fred, with this over the next 24, 48 hours over we continue to monitor what is going on
here in Jerusalem and around the region. Moving away for a moment, a horrific moment in Paris on Saturday night as a man wielding a knife killed
one person and stabbed four others. A judicial source tells CNN a friend of the attacker has been detained in a French city of Strasbourg. Now,
this takes the total number of people in custody to three as the attacker's parents are also being questioned. My colleague Melissa Bell has more from
Paris.
MELISSA BELL, CNN PARIS CORRESPONDENT: We now know, Becky, about the assailant who went on a rampage in Central Paris yesterday killing one
person and wounding four others. We know that he was born in 1997 in Chechnya, also that he was on a watch list of French authorities. Now,
this is not a list that involves people who are under active surveillance but rather a list of people who are believed to have become radicalized in
their views and may pose a threat to security. Now that list is more than 10,000 people strong. So these are people that by definition it is very
difficult for authorities to keep an eye on all the time. We've been reminded of that once more in this particular case. We've been speaking
over the course of the day to eyewitnesses who were there on what would have been a very busy street corner. It was just before 9:00 p.m. local
time, Becky, the restaurants and bars of that busy area would have been full. This is what one man who has a restaurant nearby had to say to us
about what he saw.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OLIVER WOODHEAD, WITNESS: I saw the attacker come just down the street here with blood on his hand crying the cutter and with his arms open
gesturing to the three policemen who were here. And they managed to sort of encircle him, they tasered him several times, to I think missed him. He
managed to isolate one of the policemen and move down the street. And as he went in with the -- went in, the policeman shot twice and he fell.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BELL: A great deal of shock, as you heard in that man's voice, Becky, but we heard also from other onlookers that we spoke to over the course of the
day seeing people stabbed, seeing this man crazed and out of the streets of Paris will have been tremendously shocking to those who were around. Also,
once again, Paris under attack and we've seen really over the course of the last few months these smaller-scale attacks than what we saw a couple of
years ago, perhaps lone assailant, going on the rampage. We know that ISIS has claimed responsibility for this particular attack and we have yet to
learn more on whether this is another example as we've seen so often over the course of the last year and a half or so, a man who was more inspired
by ISIS and chose to go on the attack on his own or one who was directly involved with the organization. The Mayor of Paris also made her way
around the area this morning, comforting locals, offering the support, urging them to get counseling that the city of Paris has put on off an
offer, but she did say that while her thoughts, Becky, were for the families of the man who had died, she believed that Paris was still
standing and would survive. Becky?
ANDERSON: Live from Jerusalem from the historic heart of what is this ancient city with very modern concerns. We are less than 24 hours away
from the U.S. Embassy opening in Jerusalem, a city claimed by both Israelis and Palestinians as their capital. Still, to come this hour, some
celebrate Jerusalem Day, others despair. We'll discuss with a Palestinian teenager living in the city what Jerusalem means for the Palestinians.
Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
[11:33:25] NABIL SHAATH, PRIME MINISTER, PALESTINIAN NATIONAL AUTHORITY: What Mr. Trump has done is not the question of whether we like his deal of
the century or not. It's not a question of whether a give and take if you give us a little bit more here, we will allow you to take a little bit more
there. No, it ended from our point of view the role of the United States as the broker -- the owner of the peace process which the United States has
really done since 1991.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, a view we are hearing from the Palestinians again and again, as we are set to see the U.S. embassy open in Jerusalem. A
recognition by the Trump administration that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel. They say a very warm welcome back to CONNECT THE WORLD. With me,
Becky Anderson, when that live from a city that has been at the heart of a decade, or centuries-old conflict.
In fact, the decades-old conflict now, conflict given new life by the U.S. president's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Now we're
on the eve of the official opening of the American embassy here. Where the U.S. embassy move to Jerusalem comes amid already inflamed tensions between
Israelis and Palestinians.
A Palestinian teenager has died from wounds he suffered in Friday's protests in Gaza. The Palestinian Ministry of Health says he was shot in
the head by Israeli snipers. For more on that, let's get you to Ian Lee, who is in Gaza City. Ian, what can you tell us?
[11:34:04] IAN JAMES LEE, CNN FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT: Becky, really, these next two days is the accumulation of weeks of protests. We've been waiting
for this. These protests have been taking place every Friday and many times turning violent. Dozens of people have been killed going out there
close to the border that separates Gaza with Israel.
You know, the Israelis say, though, that they're not going to let anyone try to breach that border, and really that is the plan for tomorrow. We
were just out there at one of these camps along the border. We were talking to the people. They say that their goal is to try to breach that
border, try to go back to lands they say they lost during the 1949 war.
Many of these people are refugees or the descendants of refugees, and they say that's their plan. But, you know, when you speak with the Israelis,
they say they're not going to allow that to happen. And so, you have a recipe for further violence, and we're expecting tomorrow to be one of the
largest protests to date.
You know, just a little while ago, we were hearing loudspeakers calling people to go out to the protests, to the fences. And then also, right
after that we heard a loud pop and you saw in the sky leaflets being drop down by Israel's military, telling people don't go out there, that you're
putting your life in your hands.
So, this really is setting up tomorrow which is going to be the day when they inaugurate the new embassy in Jerusalem. But also the following day,
the knock by day, the day when the Palestinians remember that 1949 war. That is 1948-1949 war, that's going to be the next two days will be
watching to see what happens likely a lot of violence, Becky.
ANDERSON: Ian Lee in the Gaza for you. Well, today is Jerusalem Day for Israelis. It's an annual holiday celebrating the so-called reunification
of the city after the 1967, six-day war under international law. Of course, the eastern part of Jerusalem is considered to be illegally
occupied.
And as you can see from these images, it is a day when emotions run high for Palestinians. It is a reminder of the part of the city they consider
their capital is under Israeli control. You are looking at some of the confrontations that occurred at Damascus gate earlier on today.
Well, the very special guest for you next, describing herself as a Palestinian Jerusalemite. Malak AbuSoud wrote an essay about her identity
and the plight of Palestinians that got knowledge, accepted to Georgetown University in Washington.
I'm absolutely delighted to have you on the show today and a huge congratulations for getting into what is only 17 years old to on the best
universities in the world. Your essay that got you accepted is remarkable. Just tell me why you wrote it, and then, will you read a little bit of that
essay to our viewers, if you will?
MALAK ABUSOUD, PALESTINIAN JERUSALEMITE: Of course. Well, I was asked for the essay to talk about a modern political issue that I'm passionate about.
And for me, it seemed quite cliche to talk about the Palestinian's really conflict bills. But I feel bad that it is my conflict, it is my
(INAUDIBLE). She'll be talking about it, I will talk about it.
And normally, in Palestine's try to use the kind of human rights abuse, it's an occupation. We know that and colleges have read about that. And
so, of trying to take on a more personal aspects because I'm a Jerusalemite, and Jerusalemite are quite unique about that. So, I try to
talk about myself how I identify so I am as a Jerusalemite, and how I'm so connected to the city. And the city that I'm connected with as now is
basically becoming Israeli, and I felt really bad about that.
ANDERSON: Read us just a little bit then of the essay if you will.
ABUSOUD: Of course. Yes. As I was filling out this application, I read Israel, West Bank, or other, I panicked while looking at my options because
they did not seem like options to me. They appeared more like statements. I would never call myself Israeli, I do not carry a Palestinian I.D. And
well, I am too patriotic to say other. Even my temporary Jordanian passport cannot help me at this point. Being stateless is grueling. I've
experienced this many times throughout my life trying to fit the politically complex situation into a seemingly in complex question, where
are you from? So, that's how I started it.
ANDERSON: And that to a certain extent, poses a whole bunch of questions, not least for those of our viewers who may watch CNN on a regular basis
have us report on the conflicts here but haven't been here, witnessed it, grown up here. What's your message? Tell us what it feels like.
[11:40:00] ABUSOUD: It's difficult on so many levels because there's, of course, the empathic, the emotional side about it, and then, the side where
you feel like all my rights are being taken away from me.
When I was 13, I learned about the Holocaust. And I was -- I was very shocked by it, I felt very emotional towards it. And I read more about it,
I read about and find can I felt really connected to her. And just being empathic to a person that you supposed to think as an -- as the enemy, it
needs a lot of skills and it needs a lot of power from you -- from you.
And so, it was difficult for me into try enticing the Holocaust, to try to see these people as horrible and I couldn't. But then, every day when the
State of Israel tries to make you feel like yes, you are a second-class citizen. Yes, you are living under occupation. Start thinking in where is
the emotional side, where's the enemy side, what am I supposed to do? It's very conflicted.
ANDERSON: But, how been comments, not least from this White House administration, on the eve of opening the U.S. Embassy here in Jerusalem.
We've talked about how emotive this week is. Comments suggesting that the Middle East peace process is sort of a bygone era that the struggle for
Palestinians isn't necessarily from a center for many around this region.
You are a young Palestinian. Are you of a generation who still cares passionately about your rights?
ABUSOUD: Of course, I -- well, you can't say that this is all right. There are two different things, I would love if peace would be accompanied
by justice. I think, if that was the case, every Palestinian would be voting for peace, everybody.
But the problem is that whenever we talk about negotiations, whenever we talking about peace, there is so many problems that we need to talk about.
We never talk about our rights. The simple activist completely demolishing the separating wall, stopping the missile attacks on Gaza, it's just simple
things.
Even the small simple rights of -- for example, my mother, she pays taxes, and I don't see these taxes in my streets, in my public schools, I don't
see that. I am cheated like a second-class citizen. I don't care about this. And I think Palestinians do this things the same way, think about
justice.
And yes, my people are very passionate. This generation, I'm not the only person who got accepted to Georgetown. We're a minority, but there's
student getting into Kings College in London, in Harvard, in Yale. And all of these people, they agree on one thing, they want to get the best
education. And then, come back here and change the world. We been want to change this country.
ANDERSON: We've been pleasure having you on, thank you so much.
ABUSOUD: Thank you.
ANDERSON: And a very, very best of luck, were very proud of you. Malak AbuSoud, with us today live from Jerusalem, this is CONNECT THE WORLD.
Next top story that we've got a taste of this hour, the growing disconnect between certain sections of the Arab world and United States.
After the break, why young Arabs now see Russia as their top trusted ally? And the U.S. doesn't even make the top 10. The very latest from a survey
that may just shock you, after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:45:20] ANDERSON: Live from Jerusalem, this is CONNECT THE WORLD with me, Becky Anderson. A pretty windy Jerusalem for you this evening, welcome
back. Now, at a time when the West's relations with Russia are soaring rapidly, it seems young Arabs see the Euro-Asian giant as their number one
trusted ally. This was one of the key findings of the 2018 Arab youth survey which notes America falls from the top 10 for the first time in a
decade. Have a look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SUNIL JOHN, FOUNDER, ASDA'A BURSON-MARSTELLER: You can see a direct correlation between how young people see the United States from a political
point of view and they have in one of the findings said that Trump has beneath 75 percent of the people polled said the Trump presidency has a
negative impact on the region. And that is -- and that is the reason why they see the United States as an adversary.
But when they ask the same people which country do you want to live in? Which country do you want your own country to emulate? The United Arab
Emirates came as the number one choice but not surprisingly, the second choice was the United States of America.
ANDERSON: The politics of Yemen, of Iran, the politics of the region, does that bother these youngsters?
JOHN: Yes. I think we do ask how young people look at allies, you know. And another surprising finding is the United Stata that has always be among
the top 10 allies for Arab youth across the Arab world. This year from the top five, they have dropped down to number 11. And they have had an
adversarial view of how they see United States. And that's a little bit surprising because the fall of the U.S. as an ally has a consequential
impact of how Russia has risen as the top non-Arab ally in the top five.
ANDERSON: Why? Why?
JOHN: I think, clearly, it's because of the recent last 12 months the role that Russia has played, especially in Syria. They have been seen as a
steadfast ally, as a strong, resolute country that you know, that stands by Bashar al-Assad. Even though the Arab -- young Arabs do not see Bashar al-
Assad as a strong -- as a leader that will take Syria forward, but this to the appreciate that pressure is there.
ANDERSON: Sunil, 60 percent of the Arab population is under 30, and there are more than 100 million young Arabs aged 15 to 29. This is an important
annual checking, a decade of hopes and fears. What surprised you most about this year's findings?
The one top finding that really surprises this year is that the all the young people across this country saw Mohammad bin Salman, the Crown Prince
of Saudi Arabia as the number one Arab leader who will have the biggest impact across the Arab world.
ANDERSON: We're talking about across the region. Not just in Saudi and the UAE, correct?
JOHN: Absolutely, that's the surprise factor that there has been such a massive and overwhelming support for his leadership.
ANDERSON: It's been a rocky year for media, and its relationships with power. How has this, do you think, impacted the youngsters locally here in
the region?
JOHN: Over the last nine years, we've asked question, where do you get your news? And television has always been the number one source of news.
And for the first time, social media, especially, Facebook and Twitter, has now emerged as the number one choice, followed closely of course, by
television. But the other social media like prints and magazines, and radio, become almost irrelevant for young people.
I don't think that change has been different and the fact that Facebook, especially, has emerged as the number one choice. But you -- addition,
they asked a question about trustworthiness of brand. And he has something which you much like a very much, Becky, and that CNN as is seen as the
number one trustworthy brand by young Arabs across the 16 countries.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
[11:49:50] ANDERSON: Good for us to hear that. Still ahead, in less than a week, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will tie the knot. Members of the
prince's army regimen will play an important role on the big day. Details on that after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Well, this was the jubilant scene in Tel Aviv, overnight. Crowds partied into the early hours on Sunday after Israel won the
Eurovision Song Contest. 25-year old, Netta Barzilai, took first place to the song about women's empowerment. The victory means that Israel will
host next year's competition. More than 200 million people tuned in to help watch what is this annual contest. Cyprus finished in second, with
Austria taking third.
We are wrapping up our hour herein what is a very windy Jerusalem today. We've still got some time left for you and some stories to squeeze in.
This is CONNECT THE WORLD. And we are live from Jaffa Gate for you on the eve of the U.S. Embassy move from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
And we'll be across that ceremony tomorrow. And for more on this move, the significance, and the ramifications to watch this space. Head to our
Facebook account for more that is facebook.com/CNNconnect. And to follow me on this journey and many others, check out my Twitter page,
twitter.com/beckycnn.
Well, tonight's parting shots for you, we're just days away from Britain's highly anticipated royal wedding. After the ceremony, Prince Harry and
Meghan Markle, plan to leave Windsor Castle for a procession through the town. The escorting of the couple will be members of the Armed Forces
including so many served with group in Afghanistan. Max Foster, joins the Household Cavalry as they prepare for the big day.
MAX FOSTER, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: When Meghan Markle, steps into Saint George's Chapel, her arrival will be heralded by state
trumpeters.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MATHEW SCREEN, TRUMPET MAJOR: I don't think we'll be seen. I think you'll be looking at the dress rather than us. And we are definitely hear us in.
FOSTER: Trumpet Major Mathew Screen, set recordings of several fun pairs to the couple for them to select which one they wanted.
SCREEN: It's a very poignant moment, if not the moment of the wedding. And then, it's a lot of pressure -- a lot of pressure involved.
FOSTER: (INAUDIBLE) Harry's military service, is no surprise the Household Cavalry has been asked to play an important role on the day. Those who
served alongside him in Afghanistan remember him fondly.
FRANKIE O'LEARY, LANCE CORPORAL OF HORSE: In the personable, humors. bags of humor. Would you think to pull out the bag even when the chips are
down, and people are hungry and fed up, want to go home because they're falling in love?
[11:55:07] FOSTER: Some of his former service personnel will ride alongside the royal carriage, while as others will line the steps of the
chapel.
DANIEL SNOXALL, CORPORAL MAJOR, LIFEGUARD SQUADRON: He means everything to me and to my men, and I like to think it means a lot to him knowing full
well about the soldiers on parade have also served with him of operations (INAUDIBLE) or worked with him on training exercises.
FOSTER: At the cavalry's barracks in Central London, there's a bound of excitement. That uniforms are cleaned and mended, jackboots are polished,
the armory is checked, and horses prepared to shoe. It's a routine they used to, but this time the audience is global. And when it comes to Prince
Harry's fiancee, Meghan Markle, they are pretty excited about that too.
O'LEARY: A cracker to be fair, a looker, very cool, got that Yankee style. Yes, we'll at different.
FOSTER: No doubt, Prince Harry, agrees. Max Foster, CNN, London.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Now, I'm Becky Anderson. That was CONNECT THE WORLD. A path now for you from Jerusalem this Sunday, less than a day before the U.S.
officially opens its embassy in this city. We will be across that ceremony -- that controversial ceremony for you on Monday. Until then, from the
team here in Jerusalem, in London and Atlanta. And those working with those in Abu Dhabi, thank you for watching. CNN continues, of course,
after this short break. Good evening, from Jerusalem.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
END
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