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Connect the World
Protesters Confront Israeli Authorities; Diplomats Crisscross Region in Complex Web of Talks; U.S. Senators Aligned With Biden on Diplomatic Push; U.S. Senator Chris Murphy Says He Supports Rejoining Iran Nuclear Deal; School Bombing Claims At Least 85 Lives, Mostly School Girls; Lost Gray Whale "Wally" Starving In Mediterranean. Aired 11a-12p ET
Aired May 10, 2021 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[11:00:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANNOUNCER: Live from CNN Abu Dhabi. This is "Connect the World" with Becky Anderson.
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST, CONNECT THE WORLD: This hour tensions, clashes and deep rooted divisions. That's the scene in Jerusalem right now, where
in a last minute bid to defuse tensions, authorities are now re routing today's nationalist march away from Muslim areas that march currently
underway, authorities are hoping to prevent a repeat of scenes like this.
Well, more than 300 Palestinians were injured in these clashes with Israeli Police they happened in and around the Al Aqsa Mosque, one of the holiest
sites in Israel. Israeli Police fired stun grenades and rubber bullets. Palestinians lobbed rocks, here's what it was like inside the mosque?
Well, all this unfolding just hours before the Israeli Nationalist's "Jerusalem Day March", which marks the anniversary of Israel's winning
control of the Western war and East Jerusalem. And as we see tensions in East Jerusalem are already a boiling point. These protests were the most
violent weeks of what have been demonstrations and they were sparked by the forcible eviction of several Palestinian families from East Jerusalem.
U.S. State Department saying it is deeply concerned about the potential eviction of Palestinian families in - and neighborhoods of Jerusalem many
of whom have lived in their homes for generations. Well, CNN's Hadas Gold following the march for us just outside the Old City. What's the latest
there Hadas?
HADAS GOLD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Becky, I am standing near some of those Israeli martyrs who are starting to flow their way down this hill
behind me and through the Jaffa Gate, which was not what the original route was supposed to be.
We're hearing now sirens going off. Are these now at 6 pm - e were hearing from earlier that Hamas - we weren't hearing the earlier that from the
Hamas military wing a warning that if police did not - if police did not leave the Al Aqsa compound and the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood that there
would be - they were warning retaliation ultimatum.
Right now there does seem to - there are sirens going on. There are sirens are going off right now with the marchers just behind me. There does seem
to be some movement. There's a red alert going off - there are sirens going off all around Jerusalem right now.
This usually means that there is the potential of rockets coming in. People are starting to move. People are starting to leave the area off the
streets. There are women right now cradling their children on the ground. This - we're seeing a lot of dramatic images right here.
People are starting to leave the square. This is supposed to be the Israel, the Jerusalem Day March. This is when we were supposed to see Israelis
marching through the Old City of Jerusalem. People are now fleeing this area.
We are going to be following this Becky there's does seem to be some developments here. I'll throw it back to you. We are following what's going
on here. But red alert, sirens in Jerusalem right now.
ANDERSON: Yes. Let's ensure that you and the team are safe. Stay safe, and we will get back to you as and when we can. And we continue to follow what
is going on in Jerusalem? Back there of course, as and when we can.
I want to take a moment to show you a video taken by our CNN Producer in Jerusalem it is getting a lot of attention on social media. It shows a
woman speaking to an Israeli police officer she just been arrested in an anti eviction protest. Let's just have a listen and watch of this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MARIAM AFIFI, ANTI-EVICTION PROTESTER: What did I do, just defending a girl who was being beaten? That's why I arrested now? Defend defending people
that are going to be kicked out of their houses.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: How'd you feel?
[11:05:00]
AFIF: No, I know that you're a human and maybe you have a family you have kids. Do you want your kids to grow up and to grow old defending their own
side, defending the oppressors? This is what - this is what you wanted to be when you were young. When you were a child, to be in the wrong site,
this is what you wanted? When you were child dreaming to grow up, and having big dreams, this is what you wanted to be in the sight of
oppressors?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, Israel Supreme Court is set to take up the issue of evictions in the Sheik Jarrah neighborhood but the hearing scheduled for
today was postponed. The clashes with police have almost become a nightly occurrence in this site, saying the land is their own. Andrew Carey now,
with a closer look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDREW CAREY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): A divided street in a fractured city, Palestinians breaking the fast, a ritual during the holy
month of Ramadan. On the pavement opposite about a dozen mostly young Jewish nationalists - pepper spray and the volley of plastic chairs seems
like this has become a familiar sight in the neighborhood of Sheik Jarrah in East Jerusalem.
Extreme right wing Jewish Lawmaker Itamar Ben-Gvir makes an appearance this evening alongside Deputy Mayor Aryeh King. After talks of Nazi Ben-Gvir say
the Deputy Mayor makes a joke about a bullet entering a man's head.
Later, after a car is torched, nearby videos emerge of religious Israelis with pistols poised apparently taking their positions to defend the
building. This does not look or feel like a city at peace with itself. Back on the street bottles, rocks and objects are thrown by protesters. Police
used stun grenades and make arrests for public disorder offenses.
Palestinian residents say the real aim is intimidation. Another common sight - water blasting out from a truck sprayed to disperse police say.
Residents who have to live with the putrid smell in their homes in their gardens, say demeans and humiliates. It's these homes and gardens this land
that all this is ultimately about.
Even extended Palestinian families who've lived here since the 1950s face possible eviction over the summer. Israel Supreme Court is to hear their
appeal soon. 77-year-old Nabeel El Kurd is head of one of the seven families.
NABEEL EL KURD, SHEIK JARRAH RESIDENT: We are in the right. We are the owners of the land. We are still resisting. We are staying here, even if
they don't want us.
CAREY (voice over): Nabeel was a little boy when he moved here after his family was expelled from their home in Haifa by Jewish forces in 1948.
Under an arrangement between the UN and Jordan, which at the time controlled East Jerusalem 28 Palestinian, families were found a place to
live here in exchange for giving up their refugee status.
But using the law passed in 1970, after Israel took control of the whole of Jerusalem, an organization called Nahalat Shimon International is seeking
their eviction, arguing that the land had once belonged to Jewish families. Three evictions have already taken place, including the front half of
Nabeel's house 12 years ago.
KURD: They took all my furniture out and put it in the garden. I had a little cupboard, which I used for food and drink that I would give to
visitors they stole it.
CAREY (voice over): Nabeel's daughter Muna (ph) was filmed in an exchange with the man who currently lives there.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is not your house.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, but if I go you don't go back. So what's the problem? What are you yelling at me? I didn't do this. I didn't do this.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: But you--
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If you need to yell at me, but I didn't do this.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You are stealing my house.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And if I don't steal it, someone else is going to steal it.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No. No one is allowed to steal it.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We don't understand why Arabs are here? I don't want any problems. But this area called Nahalat Shimon was for the Jews even before
the establishment of the state. This land is Jewish and belongs to us. We don't believe anyone, not the courts or anyone else.
CAREY (voice over): Israel's Foreign Ministry characterize is what's going on here as a real estate dispute, but Palestinian families say there is a
huge injustice at the center of it all, which is that under an Israeli law passed in 1950.
[11:10:00]
CAREY (voice over): They have no right to return to their old homes in Israel that were taken away and given to Jewish families. Deputy Jerusalem
Mayor Fleur Hassan-Nahoum refused to address the different restitution laws when interviewed by CNN, but said the municipality was committed to helping
all people in the city.
FLEUR HASSAN-NAHOUM, JERUSALEM DEPUTY MAYO: In local government, we cannot be involved in those matters. It is not us to make any type of laws like
this. This is a property dispute that will be solved in the courts.
CAREY (voice over): What which courts? Israel wants this settled at its own High Court under its own laws. International Law considers East Jerusalem
occupied territory, which Israel strongly rejects.
IVAN KARAKASHIAN, NORWEIGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL: And the people living here are protected, have protected status under international law. And
accordingly, Israel's obligated under international law not to transfer the pot - the protected population in or out or within occupied territory, nor
is it allowed to transfer its own population into that territory.
CAREY (voice over): For all the legal complexities, the provocations and the violence. It's hard to avoid the conclusion that something pretty basic
seems broken in Sheik Jarrah something isn't working. Andrew Carey, CNN, Jerusalem.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, these are the scenes in what has been a very tense Jerusalem, particularly over the past couple of minutes. These are Israeli
nationalists getting ready to march for what is known as a national day. We were speaking a couple of minutes ago to our Correspondent there Hadas
Gold.
When we heard the sound of sirens, sounding indicating possible incoming fire Hadas is back with us now. And Hadas just explain what you understand
to be going on? And what's the atmosphere there?
GOLD: Yes, Becky. So what you're seeing right now is a group of these Israeli marchers were participating in this Jerusalem Day marches. And
these black flags you are seeing are part of the Lehava Organization. This is a far right Jewish extremist organization.
This is the group that a few weeks ago were marching through Jerusalem, at one point chanting death to Arabs. Now, just a few minutes ago, they were
here by these barriers where these police officers are standing because this is the path down towards Damascus Gate towards where actually this
march was supposed to be starting from,
But that was rerouted just a few hours ago by Israeli police because of the rising tensions in Jerusalem. And because Damascus Gate is the main
entrance for Muslims to enter the Old City, they decided to block off this walkway so you can't go one way or the other.
Now, just a few minutes ago, we heard those red alert sirens that mean the incoming rocket fire. The Hamas militant wing had warned that if by 6 pm,
police had not left the Al Aqsa compound and had not - if police - unless Al Aqsa compound and the Sheik Jarrah neighborhood where several
Palestinian families are facing eviction that there were - that they had issued some sort of ultimatum.
And just after 6 pm, we did hear those red alert sirens and we did hear several exposures. We heard seven booms. We're not sure if those were
interceptions or those were rockets but there was a red alert sign. There was a lot of drama here.
There was a parent - there were parents that huddling their children on the ground. People were fleeing the area. Now we are still seeing some reports
of red alert sirens elsewhere in Israel as well. But just a lot of tension, a lot of dramatics right now.
It is not clear exactly where these marches are now planted to go? They were supposed - now Hamas has just now claimed responsibility. My producer
is telling me four those rockets that were fired from Gaza. This is just showing you just how tense the situation here is in East Jerusalem?
The tenses that the city has been now for several years now officials had rerouted this march in a bid to help calm things down. But clearly things
are still incredibly tense incredibly on edge here everyone is waiting to see if we will hear more of those red alert sirens more of those rockets?
But the sirens did not seem to deter these marchers behind me despite the sirens going off. Once they ended people started coming back out started
waving their flags and chanting again.
ANDERSON: Hadas Gold is in Jerusalem. Hadas thank you and do stay safe, please. Well, at least 85 people have died, most of them girls from a car
bombing at a school near Kabul on Saturday. No one has yet claimed responsibility. Later in the newscast we'll talk about this attack with Dr.
Sima Samar, Former Chairwoman of Afghanistan's Independent Human Rights Commission.
You're watching "Connect the World" live from what is our Middle East Broadcasting Headquarters here in Abu Dhabi. Still ahead as this region
faces down what is the latest surge in violence eyes turning to the U.S. and the new administration of President Joe Biden?
[11:15:00]
ANDERSON: I'll talk about America's role or perceived role in the Middle East with the Editor-in-Chief of "The National". I've also been speaking to
the U.S. Senator Chris Murphy, about Middle East diplomacy. Find out what he is telling our critics if Iran rejoins the nuclear talks, that interview
is a little later hour.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Welcome back. As much as we follow all that is going on in this region. There is also a lot going on behind the scenes believe me and we
are always working on sources to help connect you to the very latest. Now over the past few weeks we have seen a number of diplomats and politicians
shuttling around this region. I want to recap just a few of those trips for you now.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The Middle East fields busier than ever, with diplomatic missions crisscrossing the region. A trip of Biden aligned
delegations have been dispatched from D.C. Senator Chris Coons swinging through Abu Dhabi, a city that's fast becoming a major diplomatic
thoroughfare.
Brett McGurk, a key White House player also swinging through the Emirate, as well as into Riyadh, Cairo and Amman. And Senator Chris Murphy, also
getting the American view out to Jordan, as well as to Oman, and Qatar. And it's not just the Americans on the move, Iran's Foreign Minister on a
whistle - tour through Qatar, Iraq, Kuwait, and the traditional regional power broker of Amman, where Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister also popped in
just after him.
Plus two, we know that delegations from Saudi Arabia and Iran have been meeting in Iraq, for face to face talks the Saudis also getting involved
elsewhere in the region, as are the Turks, and outside of the region, important talks on what's going on inside it too?
Over in Vienna, the JCPOA talks going on with the E-3 China, Russia, and the United States and what you are left with is a web of diplomacy.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Mina Al-Oraibi is the Editor-in-Chief of "The National" for years. She's talked to this region's top political figures and diplomatic
movers and shakers around the world. She joins me now. This really is a spider's web of shuttle diplomacy, as it were.
And I want to talk to you about what you believe the intentions are here. But before we do that Mina, I must start tonight with what is happening in
Jerusalem? What do you make of the scenes that we are seeing and I just wonder who you believe should be held accountable at this point for what is
this increasing violence?
MINA AL-ORAIBI, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, THE NATIONAL: They're terribly troubling scenes, especially as of course - last days of Ramadan holy days for
Muslims around the world.
[11:20:00]
AL-ORAIBI: But particularly in this part of the world there's a sense of as we prepare for aid and hope for better days ahead those scenes from an Al
Aqsa Mosque. And you see these scenes from Jerusalem. They are concerning. There are reports about police using stun grenades and weaponry that we
haven't seen happen before, especially around such holy sites.
And the fear is that the shuttle diplomacy you were describing, Becky really gets trampled upon if we see an escalation of violence in this very
holy site.
ANDERSON: Yes, and I think you make a very, very good point there. U.S. lawmakers and Senators have come out and condemned the Israeli government
such as Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren. U.S. State Department Spokesman Ned Price calling for peace.
No word as of yet from the U.S. President himself. I just wonder, is it clear at this point, what the current White House perspective is with
regard what we loosely termed sort of Middle East peace, but that is more specifically centered around the Israeli Palestinian issue?
Al-ORAIBI: Absolutely. We know that the Biden Administration wants to restart a peace process bring the Palestinians and Israelis together, but
very difficult at the moment. The Palestinians just canceled elections that were a long way to try to see a change there. Israel is having difficulty
forming a government so really to start talking about the peace process at this moment, feels futile.
Now, the Biden Administration has made clear that it believes one and a two state solution but also in those important parameters that Jerusalem is
hugely important. East Jerusalem is the Capital of the Palestinian state, something that many have, of course, the right wing politicians of Israel
reject, and refuse.
And frankly, have rallied their people around them. This is a lot of domestic politics in Israel being played out at the cost of Palestinians
and the future of Jerusalem.
ANDERSON: And I want to get on to the spider's web of shuttle diplomacy, as it were. And I promise our viewers that we will do that. But of course,
another big story from this kind of wider region is one that I do want to get your perspective on. An attack in Afghanistan, that killed 85 people,
mostly school girls, this coming at a time when attacks in Afghanistan had been frequent following the U.S.'s announcement to withdraw its troops.
I just wonder how concerned you believe that we should be about the absence of any momentum at this point for a peace process there.
AL-ORAIBI: Becky, the scenes of that attack on the girls' school broke hearts of people around the world. And the fear, as you said, is that now
that the United States has made very clear that plans to leave and with its international troops to leave Afghanistan at a time that the Afghan
government and police forces army are still not able to provide basic security for its citizens.
Should be a cause of concern for everybody, not only because of the moral obligation the world has towards Afghanistan in the last not only two
decades, but many decades of geopolitics playing out in those lands.
But also the fact that we don't see a real prospect of the Taliban or extremists in Afghanistan feeling that they need to negotiate they actually
feel that rather than being on the back foot, they have momentum that they can seize upon and terrorize the people of Afghanistan, particularly women
and those that want to protect the small but important steps forward that Afghanistan has made in the last few years.
And they feel emboldened because they feel the United States is leaving come what May, they might as well force their way of life on to the rest of
the Afghan people. Hugely, hugely concerning and also that doesn't really seem to be any change from the American official point of view of what
happens domestically in Afghanistan?
For them, it's time to leave. And the consequences could be huge. Not only, as I said, from the moral point of view, but also the geopolitics and the
important position of Afghanistan and all those neighboring countries there.
ANDERSON: I just want our viewers to be aware that on the occasion of women's month in March, you wrote an op-ed in your newspaper, "The
National" titled "Women's leadership as a catalyst for change", and that op-ed was signed by the 49 Women Ambassadors to the UN in New York.
This attack in Afghanistan, clearly targeting women, young girls, how concerned are you that progress that you talk about that has been achieved
for women's rights in Afghanistan will now be lost after the U.S. and NATO troops withdraw?
[11:25:00]
AL-OBAIRI: You know, Becky, I spoken to negotiators that have been negotiating with the Taliban from the Afghan government side, but also with
independent Afghans that have been working to try to foster peace there.
And it's clear from the Taliban point of view; they really are not planning to change their general approach when it comes to women. Yes, perhaps they
want to be as openly stating their point of view. But in terms of their belief, system, ideology, not much has changed.
And so those again, those women that trusted in the system that had faith that there could be law and order in their country that can protect them
will very soon lose those rights unless there are guarantees only given by the Taliban's.
But by guarantors via to the UN the different elements of the international community that can make sure that the Afghan people, be it men or women who
want to live a dignified life, free of terror and fear. It's unclear that there's going to be any sorts of agreement like that.
And now that we have this deadline, this ticking time, that's going to happen come what May not only September, maybe even earlier than September
with the foreign forces leaving it really is of concern for those women but also young people, men and women who have aspirations for more stable open
Afghanistan, which they deserve.
ANDERSON: Mina, top Senators aligned with the Biden Administration, have, as you are well aware, been shuffling about this region over the past
couple of weeks, including through Riyadh and stops here in Abu Dhabi. I spoke to one of them U.S. Senator Chris Murphy. He's also the Chair of the
Foreign Relations Subcommittee.
He told me that President Biden is ushering in a new era of peace in the Middle East. Now, my interview with Chris will follow our discussion. I
just wonder what your perspective is. And the perspective of those that you speak to on a regular basis around this region is? Whether there is a sort
of, you know, an agreement that that indeed is what's happening? And what the intention has been by this in this shuttle diplomacy?
AL-OBAIRI: Well, Becky, there are different dynamics at play here. First of all, this is coming at a time when the world and the region are exhausted
by the COVID-19 pandemic. The toll it's taken on societies on economies, so forth.
ANDERSON: Right, it sounds as if I've lost your audio Mina, which is hugely disappointing, because Mina's perspective on exactly what is going on
behind the scenes would be very, very useful. And we will try and get Mina back. I have got that interview with Chris Murphy, coming up bringing Iran
back to the table for nuclear talks.
The U.S. Senator Chris Murphy tells me he is all for it. My interview with him about Tehran and the Biden Administration's big picture for Middle East
diplomacy is next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:30:00]
ANDERSON: Just before the break, we were looking at Middle East diplomacy. You can see here a number of delegations, one of those I mentioned earlier,
led by U.S. Senator Chris Murphy; he also sits on the Foreign Relations Committee.
I had the opportunity to catch up with him while he was here in region. And I started by asking why we are seeing so many American officials out and
about across the Middle East, at present, have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. CHRIS MURPHY (D-CT): You're going to see a very active diplomatic presence here in the region. I think it's important for both the
administration and Congress to be here to answer questions that nations may have. And to make clear what our policies are?
What I've heard, frankly, is a lot of optimism in the region about a cycle of de escalation. That is underway not a coincidence that after President
Biden won. The rift between the Gulf nations repaired itself.
And not a coincidence that after he was sworn in, the Saudis and the Iranians started talking to each other, again, not a coincidence that
there's discussion about a ceasefire in Yemen. All of this is very good news in the region. And I think it's all a byproduct of Joe Biden new
policy.
ANDERSON: Chris Murphy, you have said publicly that restoring the JCPOA is critical to brokering peace in Yemen. And you told "The Associated Press"
this week that my quote, so long as America is sanctioning the hell out of the Iranian economy, it's going to be hard to push the Houthis to a
ceasefire. Are you calling on the U.S. to lift sanctions on Iran? And if so which sanction, sir?
MURPHY: Well, it is no secret that I'm a supporter of the United States, rejoining the JCPOA. And that means lifting our sanctions that were
connected to our policy during the Obama Administration of bringing the Iranians to the table and nuclear talks.
I would expect that it should we do that the Iranians would reciprocate. I've said publicly, I'm not afraid of the United States taking the first
step here.
ANDERSON: Critics in this region suggests that Joe Biden's endorsement of what's described here as a two track approach nuclear first, then later
tackling ballistic missiles and sanctions gives the IRGC a propaganda victory and funds to purchase weapons and continue what is seen by many in
this region as its malign project?
One commentator writing that countries that these delegations including a delegation that you are in, must insist that the U.S. provide a detailed
roadmap with a timetable and instruments on how to tackle the issue of missiles and expansionism that undermine Arab sovereignty and appropriate
their decisions?
That same critic Chris Murphy went on to say otherwise, the "Reassuring visit will only beautify ugly decisions that appear in the process of being
made in Vienna", your response? Is this a reassuring visit?
MURPHY: Listen, Donald Trump spent four years work shopping this idea that you could sanction the Iranians to the table on a comprehensive agreement.
He put 12 demands on the table, he engaged in these unilateral sanctions, and none of it worked.
So for those that say you shouldn't do a nuclear deal, you should only do a deal with Iran when you can get them to give up all of their bad behaviors.
Donald Trump tried it and it didn't work. And by the way, if you want to engage the Iranians on non nuclear questions like their ballistic missile
program, then you do need other regional players at the table.
So let's get the JCPOA back into effect, and then let's work on convening a more regional dialogue that can try to de escalate tensions in the region
in a more comprehensive way.
AMBASSADOR MIKHAIL ULYANOV, PERMANENT RUSSIAN REPRESENTATIVE, INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS IN VIENNA: I believe we are obliged to come to a successful
conclusion of the Yemen talks.
ANDERSON: The Russian Ambassador in Vienna who is cautiously optimistic that a deal can be struck between Washington and Tehran within three weeks.
That puts any agreement ahead of the presidential elections, of course, in Iran.
[11:35:00]
ANDERSON: Are you optimistic on that timeframe and how important is it to Washington that a deal gets struck with Tehran ahead of those presidential
elections?
MURPHY: Well, I think it's critical for U.S. security. I think it's critical for regional security. You have these reports. So the Iranians and
the Saudis starting to have a dialogue, a dialogue, for instance, that could help lead to an end in a war in Yemen.
I think if we were not able to get back into the JCPOA, it might frustrate those emerging important diplomatic talks between historic adversaries in
the region. I think we will have to compromise. I think the Iranians will have to compromise.
But it is good for us. And it's good for our partners here. And I think, you know, you just have to look at, you know, what the Saudis and the
Emiratis are saying both publicly and privately? They are not coming out firing against this agreement like they did back when it was under
consideration the first time.
I think they see that it would be better for the region if we were to be able to take Iranian nuclear weapons program path off the table so that we
could focus on other issues.
ANDERSON: The Biden Administration is moving ahead with a Trump era arms sales to the UAE and to Saudi Arabia, including a $23 billion transfer of
F-35 Combat Aircraft, Reaper Drones and other advanced weapons.
You were among a group of Democrats who voiced their opposition to these deals in Congress. At the time you said "I don't believe it's in our
interest to fuel a spiraling arms race in the Middle East". Do you still believe that? And how would these deals complicate peace efforts, if at
all, in places like Yemen?
MURPHY: I continue to believe that. I've expressed my reservations in particular about the Emirati deal to the administration. I think there are
a lot of unanswered questions. We have a history of the Emiratis transferring U.S. technology and weapons to bad actors in Libya and inside
Yemen.
I don't think you can ignore that. And while the Emirates may have pulled their troops out of - what I've heard, everywhere I've traveled in the
region this week, is that the Emiratis are still very much involved inside Yemen, still giving significant support to players there.
So I really get worried this particular about the sale of Reaper Drones into the really never slows into the Gulf before. So I may not win the day
with the Biden Administration on this topic, but I'll continue to make the case that we should be in a de escalatory cycle, or we should be promoting
de escalation in the region. And that includes it should include the pace of firearm sales.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: That's Chris Murphy, who was part of a delegation, a number of delegations, U.S. politicians and diplomats during the rounds of this
region over the past couple of weeks. Boy, has it been a busy, busy time.
Mina Al-Oraibi is the Editor-in-Chief of "The National". We were talking to Mina about her perspective on what is going on, as it were behind closed
doors and around this region? As we see this spider web of diplomacy and she's back with us apologies for the loss of your sound just earlier on.
I'd suggested that we would hear from a Chris Murphy who says that he is not surprised by the efforts towards de escalation in this region
effectively and I paraphrasing here, Joe Biden's the man in town in Washington these days.
And everybody knows that they must now de escalate, which I'm not sure that everybody around this region would necessarily agree that the efforts
towards rapprochement the efforts towards de escalation around this region haven't been happening now, for a number of years. Mina, what did you make
of what you heard from Chris Murphy?
AL-ORAIBI: It was a very Washington centric view, which is fair. And it you know, I agree with you, Becky, I think Joe Biden, winning the presidency
absolutely has an impact, but is neither the soul or the only catalyst of what's going on, as we were saying just a few moments ago, COVID-19 has had
a huge impact on economies on societies.
But also let's not forget this has been now 10 years since we started seeing the revolutions and the uprisings in a number of Arab countries.
We've seen wars for quite some time. And there is a sense that you need to embark on a new era.
In addition to that, you're seeing some signs of change. Let's not forget that there has been significant change in Sudan, and Algeria. I know
they're not in the Levant and they're not always in our immediate sites. But also the last two, three years we've seen some positive change that's
happened in countries reforming, changing, and overhauling some of the way that they were running.
[11:40:00]
AL-ORAIBI: And so now people are looking towards the future. The climate agenda, for the first time is really being taken seriously in the region.
People are seeing the impact of climate change. And I do think actually, there is some credit for the Biden Administration pushing towards making
climate a top priority.
And so all of these things are coming together but importantly, we also have elections coming up in Iran. We have elections coming up in Iraq.
We've had momentum built from the protests in Lebanon and in Iraq, calling for a change of pushing out of sectarian systems, and importantly, Iranian
backed militias, and militarization of politics.
So there is a confluence of events happening all at once. And let's hope that the opportunity is seized, because Becky you've been here for quite
some time in the region. And you know, how many times we see an opening, and then events happen.
And instead of an opening for peace, we see renewed violence. Let's hope that there is the opportunity. There's some concern that the JCPOA talks
that are currently happening in Vienna, focus very narrowly on the nuclear file with Iran and don't bring into focus, the very problem - expansionist
policies, be they in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, or Yemen.
And so there is hope that the Biden Administration doesn't repeat that mistake that we saw with the Obama Administration that just narrowly
focuses on the nuclear file. And I think that those talks that has created some impetus to try to focus minds about the wider problems in the region,
and not just to have these distant talks in Vienna be focused on a very narrow nuclear file.
ANDERSON: Good points. Mina always was a pleasure. Thank you very much indeed for joining us. We started our discussion, talking about what was
going on in Jerusalem today? And it is tense and we are seeing some really quite concerning scenes.
And I want to update you on something you saw at the top of this show. We were live from Jerusalem is rocket sirens sounded and you can see people
fleeing there. The IDF just confirming the last few moments at seven rockets launched from Gaza and one launch was intercepted.
The military wing of Hamas has claimed responsibility. The group says it is retaliating for actions at the Al Aqsa Mosque, and for the possible
evictions of Palestinian families. Both issues have caused enormous concern and tension over the past hours in Jerusalem.
Indeed, over the past weeks, the sirens halted the Jerusalem Day March by Israeli nationalists, you see those with flags here in these images that we
shot earlier on. We will take a very short break at this point back after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:45:00]
ANDERSON: Dozens of families in Afghanistan are spending the last days of Ramadan mourning the death of their daughters this after a car bombing at a
school in Kabul on Saturday. 85 people in total were killed. Most of them were school girls.
The Taliban say they are not responsible hand have begun a three day ceasefire for the Eid holiday. For the families of those young girls there
is little to celebrate. Let's bring in Dr. Sima Samar. She is a longtime Afghan Women's Rights Advocate and the Former Chairwoman of the Afghanistan
Independent Human Rights Commission.
I am so sorry. This is an abhorrent act, the loss of life, almost too much to bear. In your assessment, who do you think is responsible for this
attack?
SIMA SAMAR, FORMER CHAIR, AFGHANISTAN INDEPENDENT HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION: Thank you very much. I think I blame the Taliban because even if they are
not committed that attack, but they make the environment conducive to the other groups who can do the act.
If they are honest, that they have not done it, they should really help and identify the people who are responsible or the group who are responsible in
order to show their commitment that they have not really attacked this civilian. It is a war crimes and crimes against humanity, I think. And it's
a horrible, inhuman act on civilian, our own children, actually.
ANDERSON: We can only imagine the effect on the families of these young girls, I just wonder, can you describe what an attack like this does to the
psyche of people in Afghanistan?
SAMAR: Well, unfortunately, the people of Afghanistan, and particularly the people in this part of the city in Kabul, have seen this attack repeatedly
unfortunately, in the last three, four years. They have witnessed that attacks on the training center and the education centers. They have seen it
on the clap of sport clap, they have seen it in the mosque, and they have seen it in the hospital, in the maternity hospital it's not far from that
place.
But I think that the problem is that, unfortunately, it was not enough attention paid in order to secure that place. And of course, it's horrible,
horrible for the people. Most of them are really poor. And the parents and the girls themselves are waving carpet in order to continue their
education.
And it's really sad how they are attacking on these people, just because of their ethnicity. And also, these are the people who are afraid, and against
education, and they are afraid probably educated woman particularly. That's why they're doing.
I don't know how the families would recover. But as a citizen in this country, although I have not lost my relative but as a mother, I cannot
really sleep in the last few nights without any help in order to get the sleep. So you can understand the pain. You can feel the pain.
But the mother who holds an arm of somebody, I don't know if it was her daughter, and kissing and saying this is the hand of my daughter. And that-
-
ANDERSON: Dr. Samar what does it symbolize for the future of women in Afghanistan? You know, women like yourself and others have tirelessly
fought for women's rights and for women's voices to be heard. What is an attack like this symbolized for the future for women and girls?
SAMAR: Well, I think it shows that how the future will be difficult? And how the situation for Afghan is currently - has been difficult. As you said
that we fought for so long to reach in this position. But then this kind of massacre, this kind of attack really, I mean, you are human being how much
you can bear?
And it's really, really difficult. And it's a sign I think for the international community and Afghan people that we have to look at his issue
carefully. And this is a shared responsibility in my view, because its human rights its basic human rights to have access to education, to have
our basic freedoms doesn't matter if you're born in this geography.
In a recent interview, and Dr. Samar you were asked who is at fault for the slowing of the Afghan peace process, a peace process that was sort of
signed off on by the Trump Administration in Doha last year.
[11:50:00]
ANDERSON: And you said, "It's everyone's fault the Americans and the international community for allowing a peace process to be conducted with
the Taliban and without a government that represents the people of Afghanistan. It was doomed to fail".
The peace process is now sold, the Taliban have gone, please, just develop your - developing your thought, if you will?
SAMAR: Yes, I think what I said - I am going to repeat it here, because we have a government which is recognized internationally by everyone. By the
U.S. government, by then other international community, by the United Nation but then when you have a peace process, with Taliban, of course,
Taliban is also part of our reality of Afghanistan.
But then you actually put aside the government and you the U.S. and Taliban, they sign that agreement, so that the people feel that they were
put aside or they were ignored. I'm not saying that the Afghan government doesn't have problem, it does have a problem.
But we like it or not, this is representing Afghan people know the other side of the conflict. So it should be involved. That's why I call for
inclusive peace process, and also to be inclusive of women, civil society, and particularly of the victims. Who can bear or who can heal the wound of
the mother, who faced this atrocity that two days ago and covered?
It's very, very sad that we ignore the victims in this country, and we are trying to ignore justice in the whole process. We had a peace process in
Afghanistan for so many times, and we were--
ANDERSON: Sorry.
SAMAR: --no justice and we do not reach to sustainable peace. Yes.
ANDERSON: We are actually running out of time, I'm so sorry. And we will speak again. I mean, I wanted to make the point that during that peace
process, in Afghanistan peace process, flawed, to your mind, and that was between the Taliban and the U.S. administration.
There was an agreement by the U.S. to pull its troops out by May, since the Biden Administration took over. Of course, that window has now been
extended until September. And I think many people I'm sure you included are not surprised to have seen this uptick in violence in what many will now
feel is a vacuum of security as those U.S. troops and NATO troops withdraw from the country?
We will speak again, and very soon. I thank you very much indeed, for your time today, Dr. Samar. We are going to take a very short break at this
point back after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Scientists attacking a gray whale that lost his weight and found himself in the Mediterranean Sea. He's thousands of kilometers away from
what is his natural habitat which is in the Pacific Ocean. He is starving, he's exhausted and he needs to find his way home soon. CNN's Saskia Van
Dorn has his story.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SASKIA VAN DORN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): This lost whale is oceans away from home. Nicknamed Wally, the grey whale has been spotted swimming
in the Mediterranean Sea near France.
[11:55:00]
VAN DORN (voice over): It's only the second sighting by biologists ever of a gray whale in the area since they normally live in the Pacific Ocean,
migrating along the Coast of California. Biologists think Wally was in the Arctic and took a wrong turn, because some of the Northern roots only
possible in the summer melted early because of warmer waters.
ERIC HANSEN, STATE BIODIVERSITY AGENCY, SOUTHERN FRANCE: With global warming accelerating the melting of the ice. This young whale made a
mistake and instead of descending along the Pacific Coast, it descended along the Atlantic Coast.
VAN DORN (voice over): Scientists say the two year old whale then became even more disoriented crossing the Gibraltar Strait into the Mediterranean
which doesn't have the food sources that gray whales need to survive.
CELINE TARDY, CRIOBE RESEARCH LABORATORY: The Italians have estimated that he has less than 37 percent of the mass of his species at his age. Apart
from that, it's just that he is very close to the coasts. We really have to watch out for this animal.
VAN DORN (voice over): Moving about 80 to 90 kilometers a day Wally is believed to be making his way back to the Gibraltar Strait, following
France's southern shores and approaching the Spanish Coast.
ROMAIN HUBERT, GOLFE DU LION NATURAL PARK: Hopefully it will leave the Mediterranean through the Gibraltar Strait within a few days. And we'll see
if other organizations like ours observe it in other areas, we'll be able to track its moves and know whether it turns to its usual habitat?
VAN DORN (voice over): The whale became entangled in a fishing net a few days ago, but managed to get free and faces even more obstacles, finding
food and avoiding the busy shipping traffic of the Strait, all of which Wally will have to navigate if he has to find his way to familiar waters.
Saskia Van Dorn, CNN, Paris.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, another whale that was also stuck in unfamiliar territory is now on the move and trying to return to the open seas. Bystanders took
video of the young "Minke whale" that was trapped in London's River Thames.
It was spotted Sunday, stuck near a lock, Marine Life Experts Divers in London's Sport Authority teamed up to free it but then lost track of it.
Minke whales live in the North Sea and this one is hundreds of kilometers from its usual habitat. Well, hope the whales get back home. Wherever
you're watching, stay safe, stay well it's very good evening from Abu Dhabi.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
END
