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American Morning
Interview With Judea Pearl
Aired January 23, 2004 - 09:36 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.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: It's been two years since "Wall Street Journal" reporter Daniel Pearl was kidnapped and murdered by Islamic terrorists in Pakistan. In a gruesome videotape that eventually recorded his death pearl uttered these words: "My father is Jewish, my mother is Jewish, I am Jewish."
Danny Pearl's parents want those final words to be his living legacy. Nearly 150 people have contributed to a brand new book. It's called "I am Jewish: Personal Reflections Inspired by the Final Words of Daniel Pearl."
I talked with Judea Pearl recently. Asked him about the book honoring his son's memory.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JUDEA PEARL, DANIEL PEARL'S FATHER: The intent was to continue our effort in defeating -- defying and defeating the ideology that took Danny's life.
HEMMER: Some of the last words we heard from your son, he said, "I am Jewish." He said, "My father is Jewish, my mother is Jewish."
PEARL: Correct.
HEMMER: As a father, what does that say to you?
PEARL: Well, those murderers tried to spread shame, weakness and confusion among Danny's peers and among Adam's generation. And our idea was to turn things around and have those youngsters come out with pride and determination to defend their heritage.
HEMMER: Did Danny ever express a fear when he was traveling in certain parts of the world?
PEARL: Well of course he was concerned. He was an extremely careful and cautious reporter. He refused to go to Iraq, for example, when he was -- when he had the option. And he refused to go to Afghanistan. He knew that he was in danger.
But he always had this illusion that reporters are somehow protected, they're in different status.
HEMMER: In the Jewish community, sir, is your son seen as a martyr? Is he seen as a hero? How is he viewed? PEARL: I think he is seen as representative of the spirit of the Judaism in the context of the West, the goodwill of the West, in reaching out to others. And others I mean not only Muslims, but people of different denominations. And representing the general theme of the dignity of being different.
HEMMER: How do you think he would take this attention?
PEARL: He would be, I think, very pleased to know that his ordeal turned into an inspiration for Adam's generation.
HEMMER: You mention Adam, that's your grandson, the son that will never know his father. He was born after Danny disappeared and was murdered in Pakistan. What do you want him to know about his father?
PEARL: I would like him to know first that Danny loved him, and expected to love him tremendously.
And secondly, I would like him to know that his father was -- turned into a symbol of the goodness of the West and the goodness of his generation, and a symbol of the hope of his generation.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HEMMER: Judea Pearl showing a lot of strength right now as he continues to live the legacy that his son has left.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired January 23, 2004 - 09:36 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: It's been two years since "Wall Street Journal" reporter Daniel Pearl was kidnapped and murdered by Islamic terrorists in Pakistan. In a gruesome videotape that eventually recorded his death pearl uttered these words: "My father is Jewish, my mother is Jewish, I am Jewish."
Danny Pearl's parents want those final words to be his living legacy. Nearly 150 people have contributed to a brand new book. It's called "I am Jewish: Personal Reflections Inspired by the Final Words of Daniel Pearl."
I talked with Judea Pearl recently. Asked him about the book honoring his son's memory.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JUDEA PEARL, DANIEL PEARL'S FATHER: The intent was to continue our effort in defeating -- defying and defeating the ideology that took Danny's life.
HEMMER: Some of the last words we heard from your son, he said, "I am Jewish." He said, "My father is Jewish, my mother is Jewish."
PEARL: Correct.
HEMMER: As a father, what does that say to you?
PEARL: Well, those murderers tried to spread shame, weakness and confusion among Danny's peers and among Adam's generation. And our idea was to turn things around and have those youngsters come out with pride and determination to defend their heritage.
HEMMER: Did Danny ever express a fear when he was traveling in certain parts of the world?
PEARL: Well of course he was concerned. He was an extremely careful and cautious reporter. He refused to go to Iraq, for example, when he was -- when he had the option. And he refused to go to Afghanistan. He knew that he was in danger.
But he always had this illusion that reporters are somehow protected, they're in different status.
HEMMER: In the Jewish community, sir, is your son seen as a martyr? Is he seen as a hero? How is he viewed? PEARL: I think he is seen as representative of the spirit of the Judaism in the context of the West, the goodwill of the West, in reaching out to others. And others I mean not only Muslims, but people of different denominations. And representing the general theme of the dignity of being different.
HEMMER: How do you think he would take this attention?
PEARL: He would be, I think, very pleased to know that his ordeal turned into an inspiration for Adam's generation.
HEMMER: You mention Adam, that's your grandson, the son that will never know his father. He was born after Danny disappeared and was murdered in Pakistan. What do you want him to know about his father?
PEARL: I would like him to know first that Danny loved him, and expected to love him tremendously.
And secondly, I would like him to know that his father was -- turned into a symbol of the goodness of the West and the goodness of his generation, and a symbol of the hope of his generation.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HEMMER: Judea Pearl showing a lot of strength right now as he continues to live the legacy that his son has left.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
