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American Morning

Many Israelis Support Sharon's Actions

Aired April 11, 2002 - 07:39   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: Now we are going to refocus our attention on the Middle East. Much of the world has condemned the Israeli incursions into the West Bank. But Israeli public opinion has been largely united behind the actions of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

And as CNN's Bill Hemmer found out, many Israelis are puzzled and angered by the world's reaction.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BILL HEMMER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Israelis see Tel Aviv as something like their own version of New York City, loaded with energy and attitude. And if you want opinion, there's plenty of that here, too. These days some Israelis say they feel as if they are alone on their own island. Vascilya Levy (ph) is a 25-year-old nanny.

(on camera): I get the sense that Israel is a nation that has come together, almost united right now. Yet the whole world is telling you you are wrong. Get out of the West Bank, stop the military action. From an Israeli perspective, how would you explain that attitude to the world?

VASCILYA LEVY (ph), ISRAELI NANNY: I want every leader of all the nations of Europe that don't understand us to come here to live in Jerusalem one night. OK, then they'll see the situation. They will know the Arab's war. And they see where we come from; how we feel. Why we do this.

HEMMER (voice-over): The tension here is intense. Shoppers browse largely empty stores. Hyne Carr (ph) is a 30-year-old musician. He works in Tel Aviv.

(on camera): We saw some poll numbers that said, well over 70 percent of Israeli people support the current military operation. Tell us why there is so much support right now within Israel about the current action.

HYNE CARR (ph), ISRAELI MUSICIAN: Well you know, Israelis see the situation different from what you see in the media. Because every life of an Israeli that dies is like an entire family of Israel.

HEMMER (voice-over): In terms of geography, Tel Aviv feels removed from the front lines of the conflict. But the terror bombers have not skipped this town. Ten days ago, on a busy Saturday night, a suicide attack ripped apart a cafe. Some fear if the military pulls out of the West Bank, more bombers will then come back to places like Tel Aviv. Annat Cooper (ph) is not sure what to think, other than knowing the conflict, for her, has made her tired.

(on camera): How far away are the Palestinians and the Israelis from that point right now?

ANNAT COOPER (ph), ISRAELI CITIZEN: I think, night and day. That's why I think we need intermediates. It's like two young children quarreling. And they will quarrel the same stupid quarrel until mommy comes in the room and gives just gives one thing to one, and the other to the other and just separates them. And I think this is where the world comes in, because the Israelis and the Palestinians have been going at it forever.

HEMMER (voice-over): Bill Hemmer, CNN, Tel Aviv.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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