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1st Israeli Killed in Standoff with Hamas; People Unable to Leave as Bombs Drop on Gaza; Protests Erupt in U.S. over Immigrant Children; Outrage Prompts Father to Endure Hot Car for Video; Tracy Morgan Speaks Out About Accident
Aired July 15, 2014 - 14:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: In the escalating standoff between Israel and the militant group Hamas, word today that the first Israeli has died in the war. Look at this. Missiles going up from Gaza. The destination, Israel. The rockets never stopped coming even though Israel stopped its fire for six hours. Now, no more apparent cease- fire. That is an Israeli strike on Gaza shortly after the cease-fire failed and I'll show you another bombing now. Take a look at this Palestinian family. That was shot on Sunday. That family is trying to flee northern Gaza for the safety of Gaza City. You can see the kids are panicked. I want you to see this now.
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LEMON: That is an Israeli air strike, a little too close to comfort. The death toll in Gaza now nearing 200. The first Israeli to die is described by Israel as a volunteer killed by a mortar strike near the border of Gaza.
Across Israel today, lots of apprehension, lots of air raid sirens.
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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Do you hear? Do you hear it? Oh, my god.
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LEMON: Israel says Hamas fired 47 missiles during the failed cease- fire. As of yesterday, the Israelis say their anti-missile system had scored 200 kills. About 550 incoming rockets have hit ground. And now the Israelis, as we said, have suffered their first death.
With us now from Jerusalem, CNN's Wolf Blitzer.
Wolf, do you expect the Israelis to stay that they tried to do a cease-fire and the other side ignored it so whatever happens next will happen? What have they asked for?
WOLF BLITZER, HOST, THE SITUATION ROOM: They've already been saying that. They said that at 9:00 a.m. local time, when the cease-fire was supposed to go into effect. The Israelis said they would accept the Egyptian proposal and they stopped firing the air strikes against Hamas targets in Gaza. During those six hours, between 9:00 a.m. local time and 3:00 p.m. local time, Israelis did not launch any air strikes but, as you point out, about 40 or 50 Hamas missiles did come in to Israel. There's no sign of any slowing down. And the military wing of Hamas took responsibility and said they are going to continue to do so until their demands are met. So at around 3:00 p.m. local time, the Israelis said we tried the cease-fire, that's not working. So they presumed pounding targets in Gaza. At least for now, Don, I don't see any let-up at all.
LEMON: Wolf, if we forget, for a moment, about the six-hour cease- fire, there is a case being made that rocket attacks from Gaza clearly go up, not just up but way up, every time the Israelis mount an offense on Gaza, as they are right now. Are the Israeli people four- square behind their government here and the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu?
BLITZER: Well, Israel has got a lot of different opinions, and some who think he's not going far enough, including his own members of his cabinet who voted against that cease-fire. The security cabinet met in an emergency session this morning and the foreign minister, for example, he voted against the prime minister on that and the prime minister just fired his deputy defense minister for some things that he's said. He's totally opposed to what Netanyahu is doing. He doesn't think Netanyahu is going far enough.
Now, on the left side, there are a bunch of critics of the prime minister saying that he's way too tough. They should have lasted longer. Instead of the six hours, should have been 12 hours or 24 hours before they resumed the shelling, the air strikes against Hamas strikes.
This is a vibrant debate going on in Israel ranging across the whole nature of the country. But I did interview just a little while ago the chief opposition leader, Isaac Herzog, the leader of the Labor Party, the major opposition in the Israeli parliament. He expressed support for Netanyahu, even though he doesn't think Netanyahu is being conciliatory enough with the Palestinians on the process. He says, what he is doing as far as Hamas is concerned, is the right thing.
But you're right. There's a significant debate right here under way in Israel.
LEMON: Wolf Blitzer, thank you. Wolf, stay safe. We'll be watching.
That was Wolf Blitzer.
We're going to talk to CNN's Ben Wedeman.
Of course, Wolf will be anchoring his show from there at 5:00 eastern here on CNN. Ben, is in Gaza city, among the Palestinians, among Hamas.
Ben, I'm going to ask you about Hamas not accepting the cease-fire. First, something we touched on yesterday, you and I. You told us that bombs are dropping pretty much all over Gaza, and yet the people there can't leave, they are stuck in an area about the size of Detroit. Why aren't they able to flee to somewhere safer?
BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Because the Egyptian border is closed, Don. Nobody can get out because of the restrictions there. Either if you're -- only if you're a foreigner or an Egyptian, you can't get out. There's a sea blockade by the Israelis and they can't get into Israel. I was speaking to a lot of people today. Several of them said, "We live in a big jail. There's nowhere we can go." And this might explain why they are doing this now. Why Hamas is firing these rockets. It's a bit like the prisoners in a prison rioting. They've had enough. And therefore, they want a way out. Most people we talked to said, "We want peace. We want an end to this but we want to break out of our prison. We want freedom."
And I'll tell you an interesting story, Don. In January of 2008, I was here in Gaza when Hamas blew up the wall along the border between Gaza and Egypt. Hundreds of thousands of Gazans went to Egypt really just to go shopping and to breathe a different air. And for the three or four days when that border was open, not a missile was fired into Israel. The mosques were empty. People had a lot better things to do than to engage in rocket fire. And the feeling is that if you would just let us out, this could all come to an end. But as they say, Gaza is a big prison -- Don?
LEMON: Thank you very much, Ben Wedeman.
A famous activist who admits he is undocumented is detained today as children stream across the border illegally. The front in this fight is Oracle, Arizona, today where dueling protests are under way. Some Americans say, "Not in our backyard." We'll take you there.
Plus, this. It's the unthinkable. A child dying in a hot car as we hear more and more cases all across this country. One father took the so-called hot-car challenge and now other people are trying, too. We're going to talk to him, straight ahead.
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LEMON: We know that tens and thousands of migrants showing up at the border are undocumented. How much are they unwanted? Some, including from non-border states, are saying that they don't want the financial burden of taking care of the kids. The overarching theme, "Not in my backyard." Caught in the middle of this, the undocumented Dreamers.
The focus today, the town of Oracle, Arizona. Federal officials are sending dozens of unaccompanied children to the boys' school there for kids. Protests from both sides erupted. This is a small example of the debate going on across this country.
CNN's Alina Machado (sic) has more. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANA CABRERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The latest hot spot in the undocumented immigrant search, Pinal County, Arizona. Demonstrators held their ground Tuesday, ready to reach 40 to 60 unaccompanied minors believed to be headed for the Sycamore Academy outside of Tucson.
PAUL BABEU, SHERIFF, PINAL COUNTY, ARIZONA, SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT: We don't want any violence or disturbance here.
CABRERA: Urging peaceful protests, Sheriff Paul Babeu demanded answers from the government.
BABEU: If you're going to send unaccompanied juveniles to another state and another jurisdiction, there's legitimate concerns that other members of this community have about public safety and public health.
CABRERA: And he's not alone.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Our concern is the cost.
CABRERA: Across the country, state leaders are concerned as shipment of undocumented immigrants crossing into Texas are dispersing into Arizona, New Mexico, Michigan, and beyond. Check out the vandalism in Maryland: "No illegals here," blackened the side of a building where it's believed that some undocumented children are staying.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What do we want?
CROWD: Justice!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When do we want it?
CROWD: Now!
CABRERA: South of Houston, League City (ph) passed an ordinance to keep illegal immigrants from being housed in their city.
And as the Obama administration searches for solutions, Americans are losing faith. A new "ABC"/"Washington Post" survey shows only 33 percent approve of how the president has handled with this crisis, while even few Americans, 23 percent, approve of the response by Republicans in Congress.
Time is on no one's side. The flood at the border dividing this country more every day.
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LEMON: All right. It's Ana Cabrera, not Alina Machado.
Forgive me, Ana.
She's covering this story.
CABRERA: No worries, Don.
LEMON: What is the deal with all of these difference housing facilities in all thse different states?
CABRERA: Well, certainly it has to do a number of undocumented immigrants that are crossing the border. They have to go somewhere. But also, Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson has tried to explain that one reason they are setting these up temporary housing facilities for the undocumented immigrants is in order to keep them in custody, detained in a humane and dignified way as they work through the court system. This is supposed to allow the legal proceedings to go more quickly, but also ensure that some of these immigrants don't come into this country and then simply disappear -- Don?
LEMON: Ana Cabrera, in Denver, thank you.
Tracy Morgan speaks publicly for the first time since an accident that killed one of his friends. You'll hear from the actor.
Plus, I'll speak live to the dad who took the hot-car challenge to find out what it was like to be stuck in a sweltering car.
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LEMON: Prosecutors will soon determine what charges to pursue against Justin Harris, the Georgia father accused of leaving his 22-month-old son to bake to death inside a hot car. Meantime, an attorney for the child's mom, Leanna Harris, is expected to release a statement to the media later today.
The Harris case has sparked so much outrage in the debate about child safety, it prompted one North Carolina dad, Terry Bartley, to record himself enduring the sweltering heat inside of a car. He posted the video on YouTube. Here it is.
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TERRY BARTLEY, DAD FROM NORTH CAROLINA: Yo, I'm in Raleigh, North Carolina. And as you can pretty much see, there's probably -- it's 86 to 90 degrees outside and I'm sitting in the car with the windows rolled up because I want to know how it feels to be left in a car and sitting in the back seat strapped into a car seat with the windows up and doors probably locked. I want to know how it feels to sit in a car and I will never leave my kids in a car like this, man. Ever. I don't even care if the car was running with the ac running.
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LEMON: Terry Bartley, there is he, from Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
You have three kids. Is that why you made this video?
BARTLEY: Yes.
LEMON: Why did you make this video? BARTLEY: Just to spread awareness around the world.
LEMON: Just for awareness. Do you think you helped by doing this?
BARTLEY: Oh, yeah. You see a lot of cases now. I mean, you still have the parents out there that's leaving their kids in the car but now you're having the bystanders, the people who walk by and keep going, now they are breaking the windows out and getting the kids out.
LEMON: Uh-huh. I'm sure when you took this on you said, OK, I'm going to do it. Did you realize something in that moment when you were inside that car, what it was like being there?
BARTLEY: Yes. It was almost like how you turn your oven on, put it on preheat, and you just jump straight in an oven. That's how I was.
LEMON: How long did you stay in there?
BARTLEY: Probably about 15, 20 minutes.
LEMON: And 15, 20 minutes, that was enough because some people -- the kids were in cars for hours. Too much for even a grown man, correct?
BARTLEY: Yes.
LEMON: What's your message to parents, Terry?
BARTLEY: Wake up. Open your eyes. Remember who you got with you, just like you Remember your phone, your wallet, you've got to Remember your kids. The kids are dependent upon you.
Terry Bartley, the Internet has gone viral. The video has gone viral on the Internet. Thank you for sharing your story on CNN. Appreciate it. Hope you help a lot of people. OK?
BARTLEY: OK. Thank you.
LEMON: Thank you.
Up next, Tracy Morgan speaking publicly for the first time since the crash that took one of his friends. You're going to hear from the actor.
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LEMON: Actor Tracy Morgan is speaking for the first time since a violent traffic accident nearly took his life. He's also going after Walmart whose driver is accused of causing the crash that killed one of Morgan's friends.
CNN's entertainment correspondent, Nischelle Turner, has more now.
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UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: How you doing, Tracy? You look good, man? NISCHELLE TURNER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): An
upbeat Tracy Morgan flashing a peace sign and a huge smile as he speaks out for the first time since the horrific accident that nearly killed him. The comedian appeared in good spirits, moving gingerly and leaning on a walker as he got into a car from his New Jersey home.
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Greeting applause from reporters, Morgan rolled down the passenger- side window thanking everyone for the out pouring of support.
UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: How you doing, Tracy?
UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: You look great.
TRACY MORGAN, ACTOR: Thank you.
UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: You look great, man.
MORGAN: I'm OK. I'm OK.
UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Thank you so much.
I feel strong. I love you.
If you've learned anything from me, it's how to do a bad job.
TURNER: The "30 Rock" star and former "Saturday Night Live" cast member now recovering at home after his limousine van was hit by a speeding Walmart tractor-trailer. He spent two weeks in critical condition before moving to a rehab for three weeks. He suffered several cracked ribs, a broken nose, and a severely broken leg.
Morgan is now suing Walmart, contending the retail giant was negligent, and their driver fell asleep at the wheel. A criminal complaint says that driver, Kevin Roper, hadn't slept in excess of more than 24 hours before the crash that injured four, and killed Morgan's friend, comedian, James McNair.
Roper is charged with vehicular homicide and operating a vehicle recklessly and assault by auto for those he injured. He's pleaded not guilty. Walmart has called the crash a terrible tragedy. They say they are cooperating with the investigation and are, quote, "committed to doing the right thing for all involved."
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LEMON: That was Nischelle reporting.
Thank you, Nischelle.
Top of the hour. Let's go.
