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American Morning

Discussion with Yitzhak Rabin's Granddaughter

Aired April 09, 2002 - 09:25   ET

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

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: Joining us this morning to talk about the current Mideast conflict is Yitzhak Rabin's granddaughter, Noa Ben Artzi-Pelossof. She's joins us from Tel Aviv this morning. Good to see you again. Good morning Noa.

NOA BEN ARTZI-PELOSSOF, YITZHAK RABIN'S GRANDDAUGHTER: Good morning.

ZAHN: So Noah how might your grandfather view the state of the Middle East today?

BEN ARTZI-PELOSSOF: Excuse me. Can you repeat the question please?

ZAHN: Yeah how heartbreaking would it be for your grandfather to witness what is going on today in the Middle East?

BEN ARTZI-PELOSSOF: I think as we all are today, heartbroken, I am sure he would have been but I have to say and I have to add at this point that I'm sure hadn't he been assassinated almost seven years ago, this situation would not have got to where it is today.

ZAHN: I'm going to remind our audience of what your grandfather said during his inaugural address, which was very unusual when he spoke to Palestinians directly acknowledging their existence and he said, we have been fated to live together on the same patch of land. We lead our lives with you. Beside you and against you. You will not get everything you want and neither will we.

Do you think anyone on either side is willing to listen to your grandfather's advice?

BEN ARTZI-PELOSSOF: I think they are. I think they are. I think it's a very - it's a very tough moment for both sides. And this is why I think that the leaders should go back to negotiation table. At that point, I must say that I'm calling mainly Chairman Arafat because I think that the past month Israel has done a lot in terms of promoting peace and the peace process. And Chairman Arafat I think did not do enough at that point.

ZAHN: Do you fully support the ongoing military incursions by Israel or do you think that the Israeli government should be listening to President Bush and completely withdraw immediately? BEN ARTZI-PELOSSOF: I don't think there is a clear-cut answer for this question because we all have to remember that Israel is facing terrible terrorism attacks, and as you Americans witnessed in September 11th, you know that you're not allowed to give way to terrorism and this is exactly what Israeli forces are doing now in the territories. And that's bringing back the peace to the people inside the country because the terrorist attacks that we witnessed in the past weeks was terrible and they stopped and their meaning was to stop life in Israel. And we cannot let that happen.

ZAHN: All right. Well, Noa Ben Artzi-Pelossof it is good to see you and we really appreciate your joining us to share ...

BEN ARTZI-PELOSSOF: Thank you very much.

ZAHN: ... your feelings about this morning. I apologize for the little delay there at the top.

BEN ARTZI-PELOSSOF: Thank you very much.

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