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New Day

Four Israelis Killed in Jerusalem Synagogue Attack; Obama Orders Hostage Policy Review; Interview with Rep. Steve King and Rep. Peter Welch; Peter Kassig's Parents Speak Out

Aired November 18, 2014 - 07:00   ET

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

ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: OK. Thanks, Chris.

Let's turn to Peter Beinart. He's a CNN political commentator, a contributing editor at "Atlantic Media", and a senior columnist at "Haaretz."

Peter, good morning. Tell us: is this the first time or does it -- is it significant that they went into a synagogue during morning prayers? Does that how somehow ratchet up the violence and pressure?

PETER BEINART, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Sadly, this is not the first time that there's been terrorism against Israelis in places of worship. There was a terrible attack many years ago during a Passover Seder. And the fact that this happened during morning prayers will be particularly resonant and extraordinarily painful for Jews, who have a sense of a memory of Jews having been denied the right to worship or having been slaughtered. I think we're dangerously moving close to a third intifada that could spin completely out of control.

CAMEROTA: And the reason you say that is because there's an attack and retaliation, an attack and retaliation. It's so inexorable, with sort of no way out, you see?

BEINART: Right. There was on Sunday a Palestinian bus driver who was found hanged. The Israelis said it was a suicide. But many Palestinians seem to believe that he had been killed. So we're now in a series of Palestinian terrorist attacks now over the past few weeks.

And it's important to remember that the last intifada, the second intifada, started over Jerusalem in 2000. Historically, Jerusalem has been the place where this violence tends to cycle out of control.

CAMEROTA: Let me play for you what Secretary Kerry said about the brutality of this attack today. Listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN KERRY, SECRETARY OF STATE: People who would come to worship God in the sanctuary of the synagogue were hatcheted and hacked and murdered in that holy place in an act of pure terror and senseless brutality, and murder.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CAMEROTA: So now what does the U.S. do about this?

BEINART: You know, it's a very, very difficult situation. Israel will take retaliatory measures, and it's quite possible those retaliatory measures will produce more -- more hostility on the Palestinian side.

I think the deeper problem is, there's no horizon for peace on either side. There are no negotiations. There's absolutely no trust whatsoever right now between Benjamin Netanyahu on the one side and Mahmoud Abbas. Let alone Hamas, which has praised these attacks. And in that kind of environment, where there's a sense of hopelessness and rage on both sides, it's extremely difficult to curtail these kind of -- these kind of cycles of violence from going out of control.

CAMEROTA: Here is what Benjamin Netanyahu put out via Twitter today about this attack. Let me read it to you. He says, "This is the direct result of incitement being led by Hamas and Abu Mazen" -- he means Mahmoud Abbas -- "incitement which the international community is irresponsibly ignoring. We will respond with a heavy hand to the brutal murder of Jews who came to pray and were met by reprehensible murderers. This horrendous terrorist attack in a house of worship is the direct result of President Abbas's campaign of incitement."

We will respond with a heavy hand. That's ominous. What does that look like?

BEINART: Well, I think that already there was a move into this East Jerusalem neighborhood where these Palestinians were from. Historically, Israel has taken measures like demolishing the homes of Palestinian terrorists. I don't know how much larger the efforts will be.

But given how many terrorist attacks there have been, I think it's likely that you will see Israel responding proactively throughout the West Bank and East Jerusalem in a way that many Palestinians will feel is oppressive to them. And again we could still be in the cycle again and again.

CAMEROTA: Here's what the Palestinian leader, Mahmoud Abbas, has to say about this. This is his statement. "The Palestinian presidency has always condemned the killing of civilians on either side and condemns today the killing of worshippers at a synagogue in west Jerusalem." He's saying the right things.

BEINART: Look, I don't think Mahmoud Abbas is perfect. Over the past few weeks he has made a couple of statements about defending the Temple Mount that I think could be seen as supporting of violence.

But I think Israel has to have some perspective here. Mahmoud Abbas is also the reason, because of his security cooperation with Israel, that there has been relative quiet Israel over the last decade. He's been praised by Israeli leaders like Shimon Peres and Ehud Olmert as someone who does support a two-state solution that accepts Israel's right to exist.

The alternative to Mahmoud Abbas is Hamas and Islamic jihad. If Israel wants to tear down Mahmoud Abbas, it's not going to end up with Palestinian leaders who it can do business with. It's going to end up with Palestinian leaders who are more supportive of violence. You have to have some perspective here.

CAMEROTA: So troubling. We'll keep an eye on it, obviously, all day. Peter Beinart, thanks so much for the analysis.

BEINART: Thank you.

CAMEROTA: Always good to see you.

Let's go to Chris.

CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR: All right. President Obama has ordered a comprehensive review of U.S. hostage policy after ISIS executed another American. Could the long-time policy banning paying ransom to terrorists be on the table? More likely and welcome would be a change in how the U.S. treats hostages' family members. So with this on the agenda, let's go to CNN's Joe Johns, live at the White House with details.

Joe, what do we know?

JOE JOHNS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Chris, this review is going to look at family engagement, intelligence collection, diplomatic engagement. The president ordered the review over the summer. And a review was very much needed, because so many families were finding themselves caught in the middle between what the government was telling them -- sometimes conflicting messages -- and their concerns for their loved ones, who are being held.

All of this was disclosed in an exchange of letters between Congressman Duncan Hunter of California and people who work for the government. The National Security Council did finally confirm that a review was under way. But also said it could not disclose all of the things the federal government does to try to secure the release of these hostages.

The big question, of course, is whether the government will change its policy on ransom payment. That is a big problem, because when ransoms get paid, it only finances terrorist operations and, in fact, leads to even more kidnappings and more hostage-taking.

A difficult situation for all the families. The question is how long will it take for this review to be completed? That's just not clear right now.

Chris, back to you.

CUOMO: All right. Joe, thank you very much. We'll be following that, that's for sure -- Alisyn.

CAMEROTA: Well, the latest American to be murdered by ISIS was Peter Kassig. His parents paid tribute to their son Monday, speaking publicly for the first time since he was confirmed dead over the weekend. CNN's Alexandra Field is live in Indianapolis with more -- Alexandra.

ALEXANDRA FIELD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Alisyn, we have heard Ed and Paula Kassig speak out in the past. They had hoped that their words would help to convince captives [SIC] to spare their son. This time, their words were meant to honor their son.

Abdul-Rahman Kassig, also called Peter Kassig, grew up in the United Methodist Church here in Indianapolis. It's the same church where his parents made a very brief statement. In it they talked about their son. He was an Army Ranger turned humanitarian aid worker, taken while doing that aid work. Ed and Paula Kassig speaking now about what they believe their son's legacy will be.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PAULA KASSIG, MOTHER OF PETER KASSIG: Peter's life is evidence that he has been right all along. One person makes a difference. Our hearts are battered, but they will mend. The world is broken, but it will be healed in the end.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FIELD: Ed and Paula Kassig went on to ask for privacy. They say that they need some time to mourn. But that they also hope to one day be able to forgive and eventually to heal.

They also asked people to continue to pray for all those being held against their will in Syria.

During their son's captivity, Abdul-Rachman Kassig converted to Islam. His parents say he had actually begun the conversion a few months prior to being kidnapped.

There are plans now here in Indianapolis to hold a joint Muslim and Christian remembrance ceremony to honor Kassig's life -- Alisyn.

CAMEROTA: Their statement was so powerful, Alexandra. They were such pillars of strength during that statement. They were really an inspiration. Thanks so much for showing us that.

There's more news to talk about. Let's get over to Michaela.

MICHAELA PEREIRA, CNN ANCHOR: We begin with Ferguson right now, because we know Ferguson is a community on edge. Missouri Governor Jay Nixon declaring a state of emergency and calling in the National Guard before a grand jury decides whether to indict Officer Darren Wilson for the shooting death of Michael Brown. The FBI also warning of likely violence following an announcement. The grand jury's ruling could come any day.

The Senate poised to approve the construction of the controversial Keystone Pipeline. Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu says the legislation has enough votes. This issue has taken on renewed interest since she fought her way into a run-off in her Louisiana Senate race. The pipeline would run oil from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. The president, for his part, remains skeptical on the project, which still faces some legal challenges.

Breaking overnight, a small cargo plane crashing into a home near Chicago's Midway Airport. Look at these pictures. Fire officials say there were two elderly residents inside the house, but both were pulled out safely by a neighbor. The pilot reported engine problems just after takeoff and crashed while trying to return to the airport. Firefighters report after an initial search of the plane, there's no sign of the pilot.

Interesting proposition here for New York City: considering the plan to replace more than 8,000 old pay phones with high-tech Wi-Fi hubs. If the Link NYC measure is approved, 10,000 stand-alone columns will be built starting next year, offering free Wi-Fi, nationwide phone calls, and charging stations, my favorite thing. The mayor claims the plan will not cost taxpayers a penny, because ad revenues will cover all of the expenses.

And, of course, because I know, Chris, you're concerned about security, it will offer an encrypted network connection. You don't want to begin on Wi-Fi and have some...

CUOMO: I'm just worried about people figuring out how to steal the Wi-Fi and, like, take the whole device.

PEREIRA: Whole device?

CUOMO: And bring it somewhere else.

PEREIRA: Did anybody ever steal pay phones?

CUOMO: Yes.

CAMEROTA: The whole thing?

PEREIRA: Who did you hang out with in your youth?

CUOMO: Yes. I didn't say I used to steal them, though. I didn't say I used to steal the pay phones. But people would take them. People take entire ATMs.

PEREIRA: When you say "people"...

CAMEROTA: Yes.

CUOMO: Their people, my people, people.

(CROSSTALK)

CAMEROTA: I think it sounds like a win-win for the city.

PEREIRA: It will be interesting.

CUOMO: I would love it.

PEREIRA: So next year, they're saying.

CUOMO: I live with extreme charge-a-phobia.

PEREIRA: You get a shock.

CUOMO: How much for one minute?

CAMEROTA: Wow. You guys have quite the issues here.

CUOMO: I'm going to get you supper, by the way. (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

CAMEROTA: All right. Meanwhile, the White House is taking a long, hard look at its policy concerns American hostages and efforts to free them from terrorists. We'll get reaction from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle next.

CUOMO: And authorities in Ferguson, they are preparing, but for what? For war or for peace? There seem to be two minds on this. A state of emergency declared, and it's got peaceful protesters very upset. All the while, the grand jury decision in the Michael Brown shooting could come down any day, and we will take you there if anything happens right away.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CUOMO: Anger is reaching all-time highs this morning following another attack in Jerusalem. Four Israelis were killed, along with two Palestinian attackers. But it was done in a synagogue during prayers, which was a really exacerbating thing here. It made it even worse for the people in that region.

What does it tell us now about the Middle East? This is one major issue that the United States has to deal with, and it will have to be dealt with on the Congressional level. Of course, there are a lot of other issues, as well. So let's bring in people from both sides of the aisle who are going to have to try to find a way forward.

Congressman Peter Welch, Democrat from Vermont; Congressman Steve King, Republican from Iowa. Thank you to both of you gentlemen.

I'll start with you, Representative King. When you hear about this done in a synagogue, that matters. We haven't really heard about that before. Yes, during Seders there's been violations of religious time with violence, but not like this. Does this up the stakes? And what should the U.S. position be?

REP. STEVE KING (R), IOWA: Well, it does up the stakes. And when you terrorize people where they worship, that's an extra assault on a people.

The Israelis do a good job of defending themselves generally, and they keep their streets fairly safe. If you're there, even in the evenings, you'll see a lot of people that are walking around with their weapons. The United States need to support Israel. I don't think this is something we need to intervene in.

But it tells you that there's -- an Arab can live in Israel proper with the rights of citizenship, own property, be seated on the Supreme Court, for example or in the Knesset. I think the Israelis have been very tolerant, and they're being attacked by the other side. They needed the fence to protect themselves. I'm not sure how they got in and how this happened. I understand that they were residents that got armed inside. So I don't know enough yet at this point.

CUOMO: Do you think there's a role for the U.S., Congressman Welch, about trying to somehow modulate what is the heavy-handed response from Israel? Or do you think they just stay out?

REP. PETER WELCH (D), VERMONT: Well, obviously, the government has to be the one that's primarily in charge of maintaining the security for its own citizens. We would certainly have that response. We do have that responsibility here.

But the United States is very involved. I mean, we've been very engaged, obviously, in supporting Israel. But we've also been very much engaged in trying to promote a peace process.

This is an appalling incident. Steve King is right about that, attacking people in their place of worship. And generally when that is done, it is essentially has as its goal, not just killing the people, but escalating the tensions to try to interfere with any possibility of making progress on peaceful negotiations.

CUOMO: Almost guarantees more of the same. We'll be seeing -- I hope I'm wrong, but almost guarantees it.

Let's move on to something that's a trickier situation for the U.S. Representative King, we understand that there's going to be a review of hostage policy. Do you think the U.S. should reconsider negotiating with terrorists, using ransoms? Do you think that would make a difference with animals like ISIS?

KING: I'd say no. It wouldn't make a difference. If you negotiate, if you pay ransom., you're going to get more hostages taken. There will be more kidnappings.

This goes back into our history to something like 1798, when 20 percent of our budget was used to pay tribute to the Barbary pirates. And that's where the expression, "Not one -- millions for defense, not one cent for tribute." I think that's the right standard.

And I do think, though, that they need to improve their coordination between the agencies and do other things possible to help get these hostages free. I'm afraid this is not the last beheading we will see. And we need to take a much more aggressive approach towards ISIS and take them on in the Middle East. And I want to arm the Kurds, and we're going to have to defeat the caliphate. That's -- that's our objective. We need to move forward on that.

CUOMO: Representative Welch, so you think you need to change the policy with how the State Department deals with hostages' families? They are consistently feeling disrespected. We -- consistently, they come on TV and say that they feel lost. Does that have to change?

WELCH: It definitely does. I mean, what Steve said, I pretty much agree with respect to hostages. One, we can't negotiate; we can't pay ransom. But No. 2, we do have to be as compassionate and as open and as accommodating to these families that find themselves in this incredibly tragic situation.

And what you've seen -- this is new for us. So you've had a bunch of different departments that have had their responsibilities and haven't been trained to figure out how to deal with these families in enormous stress. So having this review and, basically, I think, having coordination and probably a single point of contact that can give real answers in real-time, as much as we know, to these families will give them at least some solace the government hasn't forgotten them.

CUOMO: That would be great. And I am dizzy with excitement that you two gentlemen are agreeing so much. I hope it carries into the next topic. We'll see.

But the Keystone Pipeline, Congressman King, give me the case for why this is good for America?

KING: I can think of no reason why it wouldn't be good for America. There's a tremendous amount of oil up in the oil sands in northern Alberta. The Canadians have been negotiating with the Chinese, they're going to build a pipeline to the west, to the Pacific Ocean and put that heavy crude oil on tankers and ship it to China to refine it, unless we build a pipeline down through the United States to a refinery on the Gulf Coast.

You can build pipelines safely all over this country. I may be the only Congressman that's actually built pipelines. And by the way, we aren't worried about polluting the Ogallala aquifer through Nebraska. If you look at the safety of the Alaska Pipeline, which carries about 2 million barrels at its peak, two million barrels a day, there's been minimal environmental impact on that pipeline. Our technology is so much better. We can build this so that it's safe. It creates about 40-some thousand jobs. It's an economic stimulus to our country.

And by the way, even if some of that oil or even all of that oil gets exported, the Canadians are going to export it anyway. And we have a chance to keep it here and buy it. We're going to sell it to the highest bidder, so all we have to do is put in a bid.

CUOMO: Congressman Welch, you're smiling, but I'd say it's not in agreement.

WELCH: NO, I don't agree. Here's the -- there's two issues. One is the oil. But the other is the process. And that's really what we're talking about here.

When you do have a major pipeline there is a process that is followed, and essentially what Congress has done is acted as, like, a planning board. With 535 of us, we're acting so though we can exempt this project from the standard review process.

Secondly, we're giving an earmark, in effect, to TransCanada, saying that they, unlike other companies, don't have to pay into a mitigation fund in the event there is an environmental spill. And then third, this is really about politics. We've got a Republican

in the House who's running for U.S. Senate in Louisiana. We've got a Democrat in the Senate in Louisiana, running desperately for re- election, and this is all about trying to give one or the other of them an edge up. And that is not the way we should be making a decision on a major pipeline that is going through environmentally sensitive areas.

CUOMO: Those are the two sides on that position. We'll see what the president does. He's expected to veto it. And then we'll have the next round of discussion about whether it moves forward over that veto or not.

Last issue: immigration. Do you think, Congressman King -- you came on this show, and you created some controversy when you said that all these families were so worried about their young girls that they were sending up here, that they were preparing them to be raped. And a lot of people very upset about that comment, but at least it showed that you had some sensitivity to the plight of these families.

Do you think there's a chance that the Republicans and their Democratic brothers and sisters can get together and do something to help these families so the president doesn't have to use his executive order?

KING: Well, the president is never going to have to use his executive order, but I would say to the families that were upset about what I had to say about their vulnerability to rape. What I delivered was what I learned down there from caregivers, and we should be upset. All of us should be upset about a circumstance where families would send their daughters up with a 30 to 70 percent chance of being sexually abused on the way. That's appalling for me. I can't imagine doing that with, say, one of my granddaughters.

But there is a chance that we can get together on some of this. The House passed a pretty good border security bill on August 1. That sits there yet. The Senate could take that up during this lame-duck session.

CUOMO: Does it protect those families?

KING: Well, it does, in this way. It sends people back instead of putting them into the custody of Health and Human Services, and everybody down on the border -- Democrats and Republicans, Hispanics and non-Hispanics -- all said they will keep coming unless you send them back. And that's what must happen.

We cannot have an open borders policy. We'll empty out Central America, and the United States is going to be buried under the burden of the social services that we so willingly provide.

CUOMO: Final word, Congressman Welch, on this issue?

WELCH: Well, I appreciated the tone of your question, because it suggested both of us, both sides have the responsibility to try to address some of these major issues. Immigration is a big deal in Vermont. We've got farm workers who are

really essential to milking our cows. We've got high-tech folks that can't get H-1 visas to provide skills that we really need. And then we've got all of these kids, many of whom were born here, when they were two years old. They want to go to college, and they have to come out of the shadows. And I think we've got to get together. And I really appreciate the fact that the president is pressing the issue. We should -- we should work on this and get it done.

CUOMO: Well, there's a lot of families at risk, and you know what happens when you separate kids from their parents; it's horrible. And those big employers who are hiring all those people, you don't hear enough from you guys down there in D.C. about how you're going to go after them.

But Congressmen Welch and King, always good to have you on NEW DAY. Thank you for having good debate about it today. Appreciate it -- Alisyn.

WELCH: Thanks, Chris.

KING: Thank you.

CAMEROTA: All right, Chris. Missouri's governor declaring a state of emergency, calling out the National Guard to keep the peace in Ferguson when the grand jury decision on Officer Darren Wilson comes in. So we will go there live for you.

And immigration a hot-button issue in Washington. Will the president act by executive order, or is there still room for some sort of compromise? We'll debate that next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PEREIRA: Almost half-past the hour. Let's give you a look at your headlines.

Now breaking news: the U.S. and Israel condemning a barbaric attack at a Jerusalem synagogue as terrorism. Four Israelis killed, six others wounded. The two Palestinian attackers were shot and killed by police. Hamas is applauding the attack. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is promising, meanwhile, a harsh response.

Back here at home, a Virginia woman has been charged with lying to the feds about trying to connect a contact of hers with ISIS. Heather Kaufman caught the eye of authorities after praising the terrorists on her Facebook page. The 29-year-old was arrested when she promised to link up an undercover FBI agent with the group in Syria and later told officials she had not done so. The charges against her could be upgraded.

Federal court challenges have been filed against affirmative action policies at Harvard and the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Among the key allegations, Harvard specifically limits the number of Asian-Americans it admits each year. The suit says there are, quote, race-neutral alternatives, including socioeconomics and boosting financial aid. Both universities say their policies fully comply with federal law.

I'm not going to lie to you, this next story makes me very squeamish. Former baseball slugger Jose Canseco, you'll remember he accidentally shot off his finger last month. Then he had it reattached by doctors. Now he claims it fell off during a poker tournament, and he's planning to auction it on eBay.

CUOMO: Ooh!

PEREIRA: He says the ad will read, quote, "Slightly used middle finger with 462 home runs. Could be used as a stirring straw for drinks."

One problem: eBay says it has a rule forbidding the sale of body parts.

CAMEROTA: Too bad.

PEREIRA: Yes. So, so much for that Christmas gift.

All right. Want to turn now to Ferguson once again. As the nation waits for a grand jury to decide whether or not to indict a Ferguson police officer for the shooting death of Michael Brown, Missouri's governor not taking any chances. He's calling in the National Guard; he's declaring a state of emergency just in case the officer is cleared and violence flares once again, a strong possibility according to the latest guidance from the FBI.