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Isa Soares Tonight

President Trump Reverses Course Over 20 Percent Fee On Cargo Moving Through The Strait Of Hormuz; ICE Pauses Most Of Its Traffic Stops In The U.S. After 2 Fatal Shootings; First Semifinal Of The FIFA Men's World Cup Begins Today Between France And Spain; Armed Israeli Settlers Attack Journalists, Including CNN; Surge In Violence By Israeli Settlers In West Bank; Cuba Facing A Third Nationwide Blackout In More Than A Week. Aired 2- 3p ET

Aired July 14, 2026 - 14:00   ET

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

[14:00:00]

ISA SOARES, HOST, ISA SOARES TONIGHT: A very warm welcome to the show, everyone, I'm Isa Soares. Tonight, another reversal from U.S. President

Donald Trump, this time over the 20 percent fee on cargo moving through the Strait of Hormuz. We're live from the White House with the very latest for

you.

Then after growing outrage, a source says ICE is pausing most of its traffic stops in the U.S. after two fatal shootings. We'll have more on

that for you. Plus, just an hour to go until the first semifinal of the 2026 FIFA men's World Cup, who will be victorious, Spain or France? We are

live in Paris and Madrid as fans gather. We'll have that and much more ahead for you.

But first for you tonight, a ceasefire shattered the Memorandum of Understanding in tatters and another reversal from President Donald Trump.

The U.S. President is walking back his plans to charge a 20 percent fee for ships traveling through the Straits of Hormuz.

He says in its place, gulf states will make investment deals with the United States. During a meeting with the Iraqi Prime Minister at the White

House just a short time ago, as you're seeing there, the President was asked why he changed course so abruptly. Have a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Because I don't think anybody should be able to charge a fee for the -- for the Strait or for any other

Strait relationship in terms of other sections of the world, I don't think anybody should be really in that position.

But we were doing it as a reimbursement. The Gulf states are going to invest a tremendous amount of money into the United States, and that was

very satisfactory to me. I think it's actually much better.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOARES: Well, in less than two hours, the U.S. Naval blockade of Iranian ports along with -- along the Strait will resume. And that's on the heels

of a new wave of U.S. strikes and a response from Tehran.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(ARTILLERY FIRE)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOARES: Bahrain says it intercepted and destroyed several missiles and drones fired by Iran, and the UAE says two of its tankers were hit by

Iranian missiles. So, let me bring you up-to-date with the very latest. Betsy Klein joins me this hour from the White House.

And Betsy, good to see you. Look, it's fair to say that neither the U.S. or Iran have said the ceasefire dead, but both are behaving as if it is. And

now, we have the U.S. raising the stakes, as I was just mentioning, restarting that Naval blockade in about two hours' time.

Talk us through what we heard from the President, because he has reversed that. The toll threat that he put out and what President Trump is trying to

achieve here.

[14:05:00]

BETSY KLEIN, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Well, of course, we're going to be watching very closely to see if there are any signs of de-escalation

over the next few hours. After three consecutive days of the U.S. launching strikes in Iran and Iran responding in kind in nearby Gulf countries.

But the President was asked notably today during that meeting with the Iraqi Prime Minister, whether this strategy was to bring Iran to the

negotiating table or if it was to degrade their military capabilities enough that the regime falls.

The President declining to telegraph an answer to that question. But the real crux of this issue is the Strait of Hormuz, that critical oil

thoroughfare that the President has been really critical of Iran targeting ships there.

It has become a key point of leverage in this conflict so far. But the President announcing that the U.S. is going to resume its Naval blockade of

all ships going to and from Iranian ports. That blockade is going to begin just two hours from now.

And the real question is, does it have that intended effect of getting Iran back to diplomatic discussions, or does it move in the other direction

here? The President has also reversed course on a plan to impose a 20 percent fee on military or -- excuse me, commercial shippers, 20 percent of

their cargo value for the security that he says the U.S. is providing in the Strait.

Now, there had been a lot of questions about the legality and the process here. President Trump himself had previously said that he didn't want tolls

in this international waterway. Questions from the Secretary of State Marco Rubio about whether this comported with international law.

But as we think about a path forward for this conflict, I want to draw your attention to some comments yesterday from the President about this

Memorandum of Understanding that is effectively this shattered peace deal signed about 30 days ago.

The President, when he signed that deal back in June, he said that it achieved everything he wanted to with Iran. It ended the fighting. It

reopened the Strait of Hormuz. It also made sure that Iran would never have a nuclear weapon.

But the President asked about that yesterday, said that he would have preferred just to skip the Memorandum of Understanding process entirely and

get straight to a more formal, finalized deal. He said that a Memorandum of Understanding, quote, "doesn't mean much."

So, again, so many questions about what the path forward here is for this White House, not a lot of answers, Isa.

SOARES: So, lots of questions, Betsy, I know you'll stay across all the angles for us. Betsy Klein there for us at the White House. Well, global

oil prices are climbing following days of strikes, as Betsy was saying between the U.S. and Iran before the U.S. markets opened earlier today.

Brent Crude jumped nearly 5 percent to about $87 a barrel. It is the highest price in more than a month. We don't have the graphic, but you can

take my word for it. How about that? Let me turn to the World Cup because after weeks of anticipation, the match everyone has been waiting for is

finally here at the World Cup.

We are, what? A couple of -- an hour or so away. In just under an hour from now, France and Spain will kick off in the semifinal that pits France's

electric offence against the impenetrable Spanish defense. France has scored 16 goals in six matches in this World Cup.

Spain have only allowed one goal so far in the tournament. And of course, this contest features a pair of superstars more than a pair, I think.

France's Kylian Mbappe is second all-time in total World Cup goals scored and the Spanish attack begins with the dizzying moves of teen superstars.

We all know Lamine Yamal. Let's get a couple of expert opinions on how the match is going to go. Joining me now, two faces you've seen here on my

show, pair of footballers who have played for France and indeed for Spain.

Mikael Silvestre, who represented France at two World Cups and Gaizka Mendieta played for Spain and even scored a goal for La Roja. Mikael and

Gaizka, really great to have you on the show. I mean, this is quite a match up, and one, I think it's fair to say we have seen before.

And if it's anything like the last time, we're in for quite a show. So, let me ask you first, Mikael, you know, I heard Didier Deschamps saying today

that, you know, the past of the past were now at another level. We want to be in the final, talking about Le Bleu. Do you agree with that? Is France

now at another level?

MIKAEL SILVESTRE, FORMER FRENCH SOCCER PLAYER: Another level from when they met at the Euro, you know, two years ago when France lost 2-1 against

Spain, Spain was superior in many departments during the game, and that was a logical ending for us.

One step away from the final, but this time, I think we are in a better position, obviously, we've got Michael Olise who's been tremendous, and

especially Ousmane Dembele, who became a different player at PSG in the last two years.

[14:10:00]

So, with a great Mbappe, I think we've got much more to offer offensively, so hopefully we will take full advantage of it against a tough Spain

defense.

SOARES: Yes, no doubt. Gaizka, let me bring you into this because I was mentioning star player, and there are many star players equally in the

Spanish team. But star player, Lamine Yamal has been quoted as saying, Gaizka, that if anyone has something to fear, he says, it's France.

We knocked them out the last two times. I mean, is this confidence in your view or potentially overconfidence or even arrogance?

GAIZKA MENDIETA, FORMER SPANISH SOCCER PLAYER: No, I think it's the way these young players take nowadays, these duels, this rivalry. And I think I

mean, Lamine is the liver in a situation which he's been known from -- you know, on the bus to the finals or to the important games to this league.

You know, just being on his -- being on his games. So, I think the mentality is completely different. He certainly delivers in these important

games. And although, he's only scored one goal in this tournament, certainly brings the attention of the teams, of the opposition teams and

especially the defense.

And I think Spain has been taking advantage of that because when Lamine receives the ball, two or three players come close to him. And that

obviously allows -- and Spain knows that. Allows other parts of the -- of the pitch to be spaces to be -- players in positions where they can take

advantage of that.

So, I think that's -- it helps to the team to extend, which ultimately, that's what it becomes true to the team to play as a group. But certainly,

taking advantage of the talent and the skill of Lamine Yamal.

SOARES: Yes, and let me pick up -- pick up with that, Mikael, that Lamine Yamal quote, that if anyone have -- if anyone has something to fear, it's

France. How would something like that, a quote like that you think be received in the French dressing room, you think?

SILVESTRE: It's a -- it's a little bit of a -- of you know, heated -- it's a mind game, you know, so it's nothing spectacular. We've --

SOARES: Yes --

SILVESTRE: Seen that before, and it's good for the French players to see this type of comment before a game that, you know, only the -- only the --

what happened on the pitch will decide if it was -- if it was wise or not to have this type of words before.

But it's nothing, you know, personal or I would say, not nice, just part of the build-up to the game, and coming from Lamine Yamal as this guy was

saying before, it's -- we expect nothing less from him. So, the French players are aware of these comments. And it's a little bit of extra

motivation if they need -- if they need it, but I don't think --

SOARES: Yes --

SILVESTRE: They need it.

SOARES: Yes, they do. Look, like you said, Mikael, it definitely comes with the territory. Gaizka, I mean, I've been watching pretty much all the

Spanish matches along with the French matches. You know, I've got a football-loving family, and I have seen and I have heard how much the

Spanish, you know, have been, you know, applauded not just for their football, attacking football at major tournaments and at this World Cup,

but also their defense.

I think their defense has really stood out. I was mentioning before I came to you, the fact they've only conceded just one --

MENDIETA: Yes --

SOARES: Goal so far. Can they keep though, Gaizka, can they keep Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise quiet tonight, you think?

MENDIETA: Well, I think that's obviously the challenge for Spain today. There is not only Mbappe, Olise, they have Dembele, they have Doue, they

have Barcola. There's a lot of -- there's a lot of players to take an eye on it, and to be careful about it.

So, I think that's what I said, it's about the team. It's about how Spain attacks and defends as a team. If you have to think about individuals, I

think we check in high risks of these players really scoring and finding the football.

They probably will think they might want to find in order to get balls like halfway line and trying to get those balls back. And then into the space

running, and obviously with the clinical finishing, especially Mbappe has been showing.

So, it's about how the team plays, how the team keeps the ball, how the team is able to find almost -- how to find Pedri or if there's Oyarzabal

playing in those -- in those holes, trying to make those four players thinking that they have to defend instead of they have to attack.

I think it's something that Spain have to do very well today and get their minds, like Mikael was saying, mind games, trying to get them to, you know,

into defense mode rather than attacking mode, and be careful not to lose those balls in dangerous areas.

[14:15:00]

SOARES: And as you and I, as both of you talk, Gaizka and Mikael, you know, we've seen the fans. I think we've got images. I'll ask my producer to

bring these images brought from Madrid, I think he was saying from Paris.

You know, everyone is already -- I'm sure you're also already set up for the match, but you've seen the crowds, the anticipation of what this means,

of course, for these two top-ranking FIFA countries. And Mikael, I remember when you and I spoke, we spoke before the quarterfinal against Morocco

roughly at this time on my show, I asked you if you remember about Kylian Mbappe, you know, being the difference.

And he certainly was, if I remember, you know. And now he's scoring kind of level, right? With Lionel Messi at the top of the golden boot standings.

Can he, you think, Mikael, deliver again tonight and score in the fourth consecutive match?

SILVESTRE: I believe he can. The thing is what we saw with Kylian since the beginning of the tournament is that, it's nothing to compare with his

season at Real Madrid. You know domestically, it was a different story. And now, we rediscover Kylian when he first came to the national team, what he

produced in 2018.

I think he is -- he's recognizing the fact that without the ball, you know, making those runs in behind the defense is much more, it's impossible to

defend. So, I think with the other players, Olise, Dembele coming to the ball short, then it gives him more opportunity to do damage in behind the

line of defense.

So, I think he can do it. He's showing maturity. You know, at 27, he's been captain for quite some time of the national team now. And he wants to get

that second star. And this game is a final before the final --

SOARES: Yes --

SILVESTRE: You know, honestly, and we could -- we couldn't --

SOARES: Yes --

SILVESTRE: Dream of a better semifinal. So, I think he will deliver.

SOARES: Yes, and look, France, of course, has Mbappe and so many others. Spain has not only Yamal, but also, as we've seen, Mikael, Merino. So,

before we go, before I let you both go, I know I like to throw you curveballs. Mikael already knows this.

Give me -- give me a sense of the prediction. You go first, Mikael, what's the prediction for tonight?

SILVESTRE: Two-one for France.

SOARES: Two-one of feeling confident, I like it, I like it. Go, well, Gaizka, where do you stand? What's your prediction?

MENDIETA: I will go 1-0 for Spain. I think it's going to be a close game. It's going to be decided by, you know, minimal details as these games both

have excellent players, fantastic players. So, minimal details will be decided hopefully on the Spanish side.

SOARES: Well, I wish you well, (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE) --

MENDIETA: Thanks --

SOARES: Thank you very much to you both, really appreciate it. Thank you. We have what? Forty minutes or so until it kicks off. In the meantime, do

stay out here with us. And just ahead right here on the show, a rare appearance on Capitol Hill by two U.S. Supreme Court justices.

Their warning to lawmakers about rising threats against the court and their families. And two fatal ICE shootings just days apart, shining a harsh new

spotlight on the U.S. immigration crackdown. We'll look at how ICE is responding now, both of those stories after this short break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:20:00]

SOARES: Welcome back. Well, after two fatal ICE shootings in less than a week, the U.S. Immigration Enforcement Agency appears to be switching

tactics. A source says ICE agents have been directed to suspend most vehicle stops until further notice.

And it comes just a day after Joan Sebastian Guerrero, a 26-year-old from Colombia, was shot and killed during an operation in Maine. Guerrero was

reportedly authorized to work in the U.S. and wasn't said to be the target of the operation.

This amid local probes into the fatal shooting of Mexican national Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Texas, if you remember, last week. ICE's parent agency,

the Department of Homeland Security says agents weren't issued body cameras in there in either shooting.

So, let's get more on this. Maria Santana is in Biddeford, Maine, where a community still in shock and anguish, of course, after Monday's deadly

shooting. Good to have you with us, Maria. Just first of all, bring us up- to-date on what we're hearing from ICE, and this decision to change tactics from the U.S. Immigration Enforcement Authorities here.

MARIA SANTANA, CNN REPORTER: Well, yes, a source did say that ICE agents were directed to suspend all traffic stops for the time being while these

two incidents are being investigated. Now, we did hear from Maine Republican Senator Susan Collins, who said that, you know, while the

investigation is still going, there are some critical questions that have been raised by this incident.

She said that she had a conversation with DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, and that she asked him to suspend these ICE stops, and especially if the

agents are not wearing body-cams in this instance, in both of these shootings, the one in Texas and now here in Maine, the ICE agents were not

wearing their body cams.

So, it's very hard to tell, even from some surveillance videos that we have gotten, some witness videos that we have gotten, what happened before this

escalated to the point where the agent began shooting his gun and ultimately killed Joan Sebastian Guerrero.

I want to show you a little bit of the scene here. This is the intersection where it all happened yesterday morning around 7:00 a.m., and witnesses say

that Joanne Guerrero was on his way to work, that he had gotten into his vehicle when this happened.

There's a small memorial now that has grown on this corner. It has flowers, it has candles. Just some messages for his family. But there's also a group

of protesters, a small group right now that has gathered here. They have been gathering here since Monday morning.

Also, in other parts of the city and the state to protest what they say is a murder of one of their community members. Everybody that we have talked

to here, neighbors, friends of Joan Sebastian Guerrero say to us -- said to us that he was a hard worker, that his main concern were his wife and his

daughter.

He had a three-year-old daughter who witnesses say was actually at the scene when all of this happened. She was still in her pajamas with the

character Bluey on them, and his wife was completely distraught, witnessing what was happening.

What the videos do show is a white vehicle, a small sedan just circling very slowly in this intersection, there's an ICE agent that approaches the

vehicle, tries to either open the door or talk to the driver while the vehicle is still moving.

Then another ICE vehicle, another vehicle just blocks him from moving. And that's when we see this very disturbing images from witness video where

they take out the body while it seems he has already been shot, they handcuff him on the ground and then start rendering, you know, first aid

before the paramedics gets here.

ICE has said that he was not the target. Department of Homeland Security, in a statement said that their agents were looking for somebody else who

had a final order of deportation. This other illegal immigrant came out from the residence, and that's when they tried to stop him. A witness did

tell us that the last words of Guerrero were, "I tried to stop". Isa.

[14:25:00]

SOARES: Maria Santana live for us there in Biddeford in Maine, thank you very much, Maria, appreciate it. Well, in a rare appearance on Capitol Hill

today, U.S. Supreme Court Justices testified on the need for more security.

Justice Aileen Cannon, Amy Coney Barrett told lawmakers about the increased threats facing members of the court. And they are asking lawmakers for tens

of millions of dollars in additional funding. At one point, Barrett gave a personal account of when she was given a bulletproof vest. Have a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

AMY CONEY BARRETT, ASSOCIATE JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES: When threats to my life were particularly intense a few years ago,

around the time of the Dobbs leak, my security detail sent me home with a bulletproof vest, and I carried it into my house, put it into my bedroom,

dropped it down on a table, turned around and my 12-year-old son was standing in the doorway of my bedroom, and he wanted to know what it was

and why I had it.

And I didn't know how to respond because maybe I lack imagination, but I didn't expect that performing this service was going to put me in the

position of explaining to my children what a bulletproof vest was, and why I had to wear one.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOARES: Well, let's get more on this. Our chief supreme court analyst, Joan Biskupic, joins me now. And Joan, I mean, just hearing that, that is

absolutely terrifying and chilling for anyone. Just give us a sense of what else you've heard from the justices today.

JOAN BISKUPIC, CNN CHIEF SUPREME COURT ANALYST: Sure, that was probably the most compelling moment just because of how personal it was to her. And I

should add, Amy Coney Barrett happens to be raising seven children, and she gave another episode that involved another one of her sons opening the

front door, getting ready to go out with friends and seeing all these police officers out in front.

The family had been a victim of a SWAT, swatting episode. You know, when somebody had called and reported some sort of violence going on inside the

home, it was a false report, but yet obviously very disruptive to the justice and to her children.

So, you know, she was a -- she was a good messenger for asking for more security funds for the court. The Supreme Court is asking for a budget of

$228 million, a hefty amount of that would go toward security, increased security for the justices, personal protection at their homes, when they

travel for an improved screening.

Entryway for the court building itself, and then also for cyber security, just because of, you know, the ongoing threats in all that area. So, the

security questions took up a big chunk of this morning's session with the - - at the U.S. House.

Starting in just a few minutes, there will be another hearing before the Senate where these two justices, liberal Elena Kagan and conservative Amy

Coney Barrett, will be, you know, trying to enlist Senate support for security.

But also, to explain some of their procedures, I should say, during the Q&A earlier today, there were a lot of questions about how they handle

emergency petitions that are sometimes referred to as "on the shadow docket" when the justices just dispense with a case without having full

briefing and oral arguments, those have become rather controversial because in so many of those cases, this court has sided with President Trump and

some of his boldest initiatives.

There was questions about that, and also questions about ethics and transparency that the justices tried to answer. So, you know, it was a -- I

have to say that given that no Supreme Court Justice had come up to the Hill since 2019 to testify, it was a wonderful opportunity just to hear

from two of them off the bench outside of those black robes, and to just hear more about how they do their work and their concerns.

And there was a -- there were a lot of very good questions this morning, and I expect the same this afternoon.

SOARES: And I know you'll stay across it for us. Joan Biskupic, thank you very much, Joan, really appreciate it. And still to come tonight, a U.S.

congressman detained by settlers in the West Bank says if this can happen to him, imagine what happens every day to ordinary Palestinians. We'll

speak with an Israeli human rights group just ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:32:21]

SOARES: Welcome back, everyone. If it can happen to people with privileges and protections, what happens to ordinary Palestinians? Recent incidents

involving Israeli settlers and soldiers in the West Bank have been making headlines and highlighting concerns about Israel's military occupation.

U.S. lawmaker, if you remember Ro Khanna, says his experience convinced him to help expose what he calls the daily injustices that Palestinians face.

He says American politics have silenced and ignored the reality for far too long. Khanna was visiting the West Bank, if you remember, last week. When

he says settlers armed with American-made rifles blockaded his convoy and kicked his vehicle's tires. He says what angered him most, his words, is

that the IDF soldiers who came to the scene supported the settlers, joining them in detaining his group. The IDF disputes that, saying it reopened the

blocked road.

Khanna says what's happening in the West Bank is, quote, "apartheid," and says people who don't understand the reality should go and visit it

themselves.

There's been another recent incident involving journalists, including CNN's, our very own Jeremy Diamond. If you were watching the show

yesterday, we brought you this story. They were accompanying a father whose American-born son was beaten to death by settlers a year ago when they came

under attack by settlers themselves. We have a little clip. Have a look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN JERUSALEM CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Within seconds we spot a car speeding towards us. We start to leave, but as we drive away, we

see that four settlers have set up a roadblock. Armed with clubs and rocks, they try and block our way first with their bodies and then --

DIAMOND: And now, it looks like he's trying to slash our tires. He's trying to slash our tires.

MUSALLET: Oh, he's got a knife. He's going for the tires.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, my God.

DIAMOND (voice-over): A group of independent journalists and activists are in the car behind us.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Move. Move, bitch.

DIAMOND (voice-over): But their vehicle isn't armored.

KAMEL MUSALLET, FATHER OF AMERICAN KILLED BY SETTLERS: Without an armored car, without a bulletproof vest, how do I get to my land?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOARES: And you can see that full report on cnn.com. We brought you that story yesterday. Well, Israeli police say four settlers were arrested after

that attack on Jeremy Diamond's convoy, but so many times in cases of settler violence against Palestinian homes, property, and people

themselves, there is virtual impunity.

So, let's stick with this. Let's explore this. We're joined now by Yuli Novak, executive director of the Israeli human rights group B'Tselem. Yuli,

really appreciate you coming on the show. You know, we have seen in the last few days, and I've just given viewers a taster, really, of what we've

been reporting, two separate incidents involving CNN journalists, a U.S. lawmaker in the West Bank.

[14:35:00]

Just from your perspective, Yuli, you know, do these incidents tell us -- what do they tell us about the current reality in the West Bank? Are they

exceptional, or are they even isolated?

YULI NOVAK, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, B'TSELEM: Thank you for having me. Yes. You know, we're looking at these photos, and with all due respect, I'm sure,

and I can identify this situation probably for your team and for the congressmen, was very frightening.

But to say it's the tip of the iceberg will be a very gentle way to say it, to describe the situation on the ground. We're talking about millions of

people, Palestinians, who live in an ongoing threat of violence, who are completely exposed to this, or potentially exposed to this kind of

violence, both from settlers, which we have by now multiple attacks by settlers, militias a day, but more than that, by the Israeli forces, the

Israeli army.

So, the vast majority of the violence in the West Bank, and that is important to note, is actually being done and conducted by Israeli

officials. So, to say those incidents are exceptional, are rare, nothing can be further from the truth. They're actually describing really the edge

of the gentle type of violence that is being experienced by Palestinians on a daily basis.

SOARES: Yes. And the reason, of course, I brought those two examples, like I said at the beginning, if it can happen with people with privileges and

protections, you know, imagine what happens to ordinary Palestinians.

And, you know, on the case for our team, you know, they came under attack from settlers, despite wearing, as we were just highlighting there, marked

press gear. They had body armor, traveling in an armored vehicle.

Earlier this year, even, just for context for our viewers, because I think this is important, our photojournalist Sira Theo Poulos, was placed in a

chokehold by an Israeli soldier while filming, which we had authorization for. And that soldier, we've been told, within the last 24 hours, was just

reprimanded, but no criminal charges. Those are, I suppose, our experiences I want to share with viewers.

But what are Palestinians telling B'Tselem about the violence and the intimidation, Yuli, that they face in their daily lives? And what patterns,

more importantly, are you documenting?

NEWTON: Yes. So, basically, again, what we are seeing now is actually the same practices that we've seen over the years, right? But in a scale that

we never saw before. And in order to understand it, I think you have to realize and to see the systematic nature of it.

So, yes, we're talking about the daily attacks on what started on mainly shepherds and more shepherds communities and more in the rural areas. Now,

after three years, those attacks keep happening, again, on a daily basis with basically no response and no one is being held accountable. So, we see

they're widening into the more -- into the cities, into the villages themselves. And that's what happened, by the way, in Sinjil, what happened

to your team, and in Tomosia (ph), villages around that area.

But, you know, just to give you a sense of the numbers that we are talking about, since October 2023 till today, we're talking about more than 1,000

Palestinians who got killed by Israel in the West Bank. Now, I know that when we are comparing these numbers to the numbers of fatalities in Gaza,

it sounds low, but think about it, that we're talking about a few Palestinians that are being killed on average every day, right?

And in that sense, and talking about accountability, so no one person of that 1,000 people or perpetrators and criminals who killed those

Palestinians have been brought to trial, not even one. And, you know, we're talking about settler violence. It's very -- everybody talks about settler

violence, but out of these 1,000 people who got killed, only 30 were killed by settlers, which is insane numbers, but the rest of them were killed by

Israeli soldiers, right, by the army, by Israeli official forces.

And the lack of accountability and the full impunity that the system itself giving to the perpetrators allowed this violence to continue.

[14:40:00]

Add to that the fact that the communities are being ran out of their territories, of their homes. Tens of thousands of people were displaced in

the cities themselves, especially north of the West Bank. And you get an overall picture of how Israel is trying to make the West Bank unlivable for

Palestinians.

SOARES: So, Yuli, I mean, let me clarify so we get a clear answer from you on this, because I think this is so important. Who then, in your opinion,

is enabling this, and where does that accountability break down? Is it law enforcement? Is it political leadership, or is it something entirely

different?

Because I ask you this because Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to my colleague Dana Bash. She pushed him on settler violence. He said they

had blown up beyond belief, and he described these perpetrators as a group of 150 juvenile delinquents. And then he said the police and military take

actions, but the court in Israel are very lenient. You're smiling. What do you say to that? I mean, give us a sense of how you respond to this

characterization.

NOVAK: I am smiling. It's not -- it's because I'm furious to hear that. Because, you know, one thing that they wish is that people would understand

--

SOARES: Of course. I understood. Yes, I didn't mean it in a bad way.

NEWTON: No, no, no, of course. But I'm saying if you could hear how Netanyahu and other officials, Israeli officials, are speaking in Hebrew,

that will make the whole picture very clear. Because we, as a human rights organization, we don't have to work hard these days in order to understand

their intentions and see the bigger picture.

All we need to do is to listen to them and to understand Hebrew, because they are telling us their intention. And their intentions, not the one that

they are telling the CNN or in English, but the one they are telling the Israeli public in order to gain more support. Because this is part of this

kind of ongoing process of dehumanization of Palestinians in the eyes of Israelis, right?

So, today to gain more support for politicians in Israel, Israeli politicians, is actually to brag about how much you destroy, you enhance

the violence against Palestinians, you take over more land. So, in that sense, yes, Netanyahu can stand in CNN and say whatever he wants.

First of all, he's lying. Second -- and he's lying very, very, very clearly. But second, you just need to listen to them and, you know, take

into account that we're talking about what happened in the West Bank, but it's the same territory.

I mean, we are living in this area between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea. It's the same area in which Israel is for the past three

years, the last three years, is conducting an attack on civilians in Gaza, resulting in what we identify, we, B'Tselem, identify as genocide. With no

one, no one, not the state itself, and no citizen, and no soldier being held accountable for countless crimes that have been committed.

So, this is the atmosphere that we are living in, and this is what enabled the situation not only to continue, but to get worse each and every day.

And I can assure you that what you see and what the world is seeing is not the real picture of how bad the situation on the ground, and how much it

can get worse without any involvement of the international community in that.

SOARES: Yes. I mean, you've drawn a pretty terrifying picture, Yuli, and we so appreciate you coming on and sharing your reality and what you have

seen, and what you are hearing, of course, from Palestinians on the ground. Yuli Novak, thank you very much, Yuli. Really appreciate life for us there

in Jaffa, in Israel.

We're going to take a short break. We'll see you on the other side.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:45:00]

SOARES: Well, in just about 15 minutes or less, the world number one will face the world's number three in the World Cup. It is Spain versus France

in the first semifinal game in Ireland in Texas. France enters today's game as a favorite thanks to superstar Kylian Mbappe. He's already scored eight

goals in six matches in this World Cup. But Le Bleu faces tough competition in Spain. And 19-year-old Lamine Yamal. Fans will be watching to see if the

young superstar can make an impact in the biggest game, of course, of his career.

And you can see the mood in both cities, European cities, watch parties and fan zones around the world. Those are the two key cities, of course.

Let's go. I've got Pau Mosquera in Madrid. Melissa Bell in Paris. Maybe if I go to Pau. And, Pau, I am seeing the crowds. Give us a sense of the mood

and how confident they are.

PAU MOSQUERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, they say, Isa, that the picture is worth a thousand words. So, let me show you what you have here behind me.

This is Plaza Colon located downtown Madrid. This is where the Spanish Royal Soccer Federation has set this fan zone to allow thousands, thousands

of fans to watch this match in that giant screen.

We are being told that here in this square there are around 6,000 fans. And you can recognize them because they are wearing the Spain national team T-

shirts. They are using Spain's flags on their shoulders. Here you can see a very vibrant atmosphere. There is music and, above all, there is a palpable

sense of hope for victory because this is a massive match for La Roja because winning means getting a ticket to the final. And it's been 16 years

since Spain's national team made it to a final. And we should recall that it was in 2010 in South Africa when La Roja made it and claimed the victory

in the World Cup.

Right now, they are a little bit nervous, of course, but they are also confident because they tell me that they have seen how the team has made a

tremendous improvement since that slow start in the stage group when playing against Cape Verde.

So, now, they are just hoping to make it to the final. And let's see who they face. Many of them, they tell me, that they would prefer to go to the

final and face Argentina, but we will have to wait and see. Isa.

SOARES: We do indeed. It came off in less than 10 minutes or so. Melissa, in Paris, I was speaking to Mikael Silvestre, a former French national

player, and he was very confident. He was predicting a 2-1 victory for Le Bleu. Give us a sense of the mood on the ground.

MELISSA BELL, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, certainly a great deal of hope here and excitement because of this particular team.

Kylian Mbappe, you mentioned, but their cohesion, their unity, the way that they performed and played so far in this tournament.

So, all along the Seine River here, in the east of Paris, you have these viewing parties, people are out in bars, really hoping that they're going

to be able to continue on what's been an extraordinary run for them. But I would say, Isa, that the fear is that Spain has historically been a

formidable opponent for France.

The last 10 matches, the two countries have played against each other. The French have only won three, Spain has won seven. So, they know that they're

facing a real champion team.

[14:50:00]

In fact, the way the Spain coach put it, was that this is almost a final before the final. So, strong are these two teams in this tournament.

And if France get through tonight, Isa, it will be the third time in a row that they make it through to the final. Of course, they lost in 2022, but

remember, won in 2018, and then lost again in 2018. The whole country goes wild. So, a lot of hope, a lot of expectations, a lot of weight on the

French players tonight as they come onto the pitch.

SCIUTTO: And the best of luck, of course, to Le Bleu and La Roja. Thank you very much to Melissa and to Pau Mosquera in Madrid.

We're going to take a short break. We'll see you in just a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SOARES: Well, for the third time in just over a week, Cuba has been plunged into a nationwide blackout. The latest collapse on the national power grid

follows blackouts last Monday, if you remember, and Friday. Cuba's undergoing a years-long energy crisis, which has been made worse by an

effective U.S. blockade on fuel. Patrick Oppmann is in Havana, where people say this crisis is making life totally unbearable.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PATRICK OPPMANN, CNN HAVANA BUREAU CHIEF: Once again, Cuba's national power grid has collapsed. It's the third time in about 10 days this has occurred.

And, of course, it's incredibly hot in Cuba in the summer months. It's one of the reasons that has contributed to the fact that we are seeing longer

and longer blackouts on a regular day.

And then you have these complete, utter collapses of the electrical grid, which sometimes can take several days to get back up. But even when they do

get it back up here, the Cuban government, that doesn't mean you have power most of the time or even much of the time.

On average now, you might get power sort of two to four hours each day. Very intermittently, you never know when it's going to be on, how long it

will be on for. And what people just tell you is it's no way to live, that the food is spoiling in the fridges.

It's incredibly uncomfortable to live in these conditions that you can't sleep at night. People are actually sleeping outside sometimes, on

rooftops, on the street, because it is just so hot to be inside at this moment. Of course, a backdrop to this is Cuba and the U.S. are at the

highest tensions that they've experienced in years.

The Trump administration is trying to force Cuba to make political and economic sanctions. This island is resisting to open up the political

system here, to open up the economy, allow Cuban Americans to come back and have a greater role.

[14:55:00]

The Cuban government says they're willing to negotiate, but not under the gun. As the Trump administration continues to pile more and more sanctions

on, including not allow any oil shipments to this island.

So, you've seen this just gradual breakdown each day of the aging infrastructure here, which the government has not invested in over the

years. You see people saying they are living harder and harder lives.

Certainly, blackouts are not new for Cubans, but I've never in the 14 years I've lived here experienced anything like this, where each day, every day,

most of the day, you're going to be out with power on a good day. On a day like right now, with the national electrical grid collapses, you know

you're probably going to be several days without power.

And so, people are sometimes going out and protesting. More and more people say they're just resigned to this, that somehow they will have to make do,

as difficult as that now is.

Patrick Oppmann, CNN, Havana.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SOARES: Important story there for you from Patrick. And before we leave you tonight, I want to leave you some images coming to us from watch parties,

both in Madrid and in Paris. We are less than five minutes away from the match, the semifinal between La Roja of Spain and Le Bleu of France. Quite

a match. I can't wait to watch. I'm going to leave you because I'm actually going to watch it.

That does it for me for tonight. Do stay right here. "What We Know" with Max Foster is up next. I shall see you tomorrow.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:00:00]

END