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Connect the World
Palestinian Leaders Meet to Discuss Conflict with Israel; View from Israel on Iran Nuclear Talks; World Cup Final; Jordan's Youth Unemployment; Youth Training Programs, Refugee Effect on Unemployment; Jordan's Minister of Labor on Unemployment
Aired July 13, 2014 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST: Stay away from Hamas sites, we are attacking every area from which rockets are being launched. Well, that is the message
from Israel to the people of Gaza as the death toll there rises to more than 160.
I'm Becky Anderson, this is Connect the World live from Jerusalem. We've got the very latest developments on what is a very fast moving story this
hour.
Plus, a fresh crisis in Libya as rival militia compete for control of Tripoli's international airport.
And Baghdad braces for the worst. Political consensus fails once again as there's more violence in the capital.
And away from the region, a month of drama on the football field has led to this moment. We'll take you live to Rio ahead of the World Cup final.
Well, it is 6:00 in the evening here in Jerusalem where people across the region are wondering if Israel is moving closer to a ground offensive in
Gaza. There have been more Israeli airstrikes and more rockets fired from Gaza towards Israel.
Israeli forces made their first incursion into Gaza raiding a suspected Hamas missile site earlier. And the Israeli military is dropping leaflets
in northern Gaza with these words warning people to evacuate their homes with thousands of troops poised along the border. Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu says Israel is ready for, and I quote, all possibilities.
Well, CNN's Ben Wedeman is standing by for us in Gaza city. First, though, to Diana Magnay who is on the Israeli side of the border very close to the
area's crossing.
Diana, I know that there are people crossing those with passports, at least, who can get out. What do we know about them and those who are being
prevented from leaving?
DIANA MAGNAY, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, if you have dual nationality and you have a passport -- say you have a U.S. passport or a
British passport, then you can leave. And today, around 150 Palestinian- Americans did leave through the area's crossing, various other people of other nationalities also obviously very, very pleased to be able to leave,
very sad, though, to be leaving friends behind who don't have two passports, who can't leave that strip behind me where the Israeli air raids
continue.
The IDF, the Israeli Defense Forces have dropped leaflets across northern Gaza, the Bait Lahia district urging people there to leave. Hamas has told
them not to. This, the Isareli Defense Forces, say is because they like to use civilians as human shields and to hide behind civilians. But it does
lead us to expect both the fact that we've had these dual citizens able to leave today and this dropping of leaflets, the anticipation of a big raid -
- military operation in northern Gaza does lead us to believe that a ground offensive, or certainly the use of more troops on the ground like we saw
this morning with a commando unit operating for a short period of time in north Gaza, taking out a missile launching site, they said, could be in the
offing -- Becky.
ANDERSON: Yeah, Diana, can you just get your cameraman to zoom in behind you, because I know what -- where you are is quite significant. That is
Gaza behind you. You just point out anything that you think is of interest there on that skyline?
MAGNAY: OK. Yep. Scottie? Can we just pan down there and we'll -- well, at the moment you can't really see very much. We're sort of in the middle of
the strip. Beit Lahia is up towards the north, slightly hidden from sight. That is the area where people have been told to evacuate. And that's about
400,000 people who live in that area.
So a large number of people who are meant to be going. We're just moving up towards the northern most tip of the stip.
You know, often when you are standing here, you can see the air strikes, huge plumes of gray smoke and the rockets coming out and they intercept in
the sky. There have been two intercepts over Tel Aviv already today.
We're also hearing from the Israeli defense forces that they do have troops in place to go into Gaza if they decide to do so, but if you do that,
Becky, you have -- you take on serious risks. First of all, what is going on there now in terms of civilians casualties will only get far worse.
You'll see a blood bath, effectively, you'll see fighting on the streets. Israeli soldiers' lives may be lost, an Israeli soldier might be kidnapped
and used as a bargaining chip by Hamas as has happened in the past.
If you start seeing that, then the Israeli public opinion, which is behind Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister at the moment, will probably shift
very fast. So, you know, going in on a ground offensive is really changing the nature of the game. And we may just see more of these commando style
raids that happened this morning rather than actually moving in the troops.
But, as you said, Mr. Netanyahu saying they're prepared for every eventually, Beck.
ANDERSON: All right.
Diana is on the Israeli side of the border.
Let's get to Gaza City now where Ben Wedeman is standing by.
I know, Ben, you've witnessed such death and destruction over the past week or so as these air strikes have taken out what Israel says are Hamas
positions.
Just describe where you are and what is happening around you.
BEN WEDEMAN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: We're in Gaza City at the moment, Becky, but earlier in the day we were to north of here in the Beit
Lahia area, one of those areas where the Israeli military has dropped leaflets informing people that they should leave.
We seem to be seeing some of the last people to leave just about half an hour before the 2:00 pm deadline to evacuate. I spoke with one man, he had
a family of five daughters and one son. He was sending them to Gaza. He was able to find a taxi, which was something of a miracle. But just as they
were getting in the taxi, a round of some sort of rocket or an artillery round fell about 300 meters away. The girls panicked, started to cry and
scream. They jumped in the taxi, which sped away.
He's staying behind, because people are worried about what's going to happen to their houses.
And it was also in that part of northern Gaza we saw where an Israeli air strike hit a home for the handicapped.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WEDEMAN: 22-year-old Sally Sakr (ph) has third degree burns on 18 percent of her body. The patient in the bed next to her, 26-year-old Ahmed al-Awar
(ph) has third degree burns on 11 percent of his body. Both were injured in an Israeli air strike Saturday morning and they both have cerebral palsy.
Dr. Ahmed Jaarour has been tending to them since they arrived at the burn unit in Gaza's Shifa Hospital at 6:00 in the morning.
DR. AHMED JAAROUR, SHIFA HOSPITAL: Every thing, every people in Gaza were suspected as targets to Israel, yeah. We cannot believe in peace in this
situation. As you know, not (inaudible).
WEDEMAN: Sally and Ahmed (ph) lived in this home for the handicapped in Beit Lahia in northern Gaza now in ruins, its contents, including the
library, scattered in the rubble.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WEDEMAN: Now a spokesman for the Israeli army says that after repeated requests that they will be investigating all of these incidents where
civilians were casualties of their air strikes.
Israeli officials claim that Hamas uses private homes and other institutions to store their weapons. But for people here all they see is
the growing death toll, more than 1,000 wounded at this point, Becky, in addition to more than 160 killed. And anger is rising that this offensive
is going ahead. And nobody seems to be trying to bring it to an end -- Becky.
ANDERSON: Ben Wedeman and Diana Magnay for the time being thank you very much indeed for joining us.
And we're going to get deeper into this story later on Connect the World with me Becky Anderson.
As the rocket fire and air strikes continue, Palestinian legislator Hannan Ashwari will join the conversation in about 10 minutes from now. And in
about 15 minutes, we're going to talk with somebody live from northern Gaza and get the scene from that Palestinian who says things are very, very
tense.
Also, Israel has another complicated relationship in the region, and that is with Iran. Hear how Israel views the latest talks on Iran's nuclear
program. Those, of course, kicking off in Vienna. That about 30 minutes away.
Well, let's move on and get you to Libya now. All flights to and from Libya's capital are suspended as rival militia battle for control of
Tripoli airport. The sound of automatic gunfire and explosions could be heard echoing through the capital. Several militia in Tripoli are trying to
wrest control of the airport from the Zintan brigade (ph) which has been in charge sin 2011.
I want to get to Jomana Karadsheh who joins us now on the line from Tripoli.
Rival militia, we believe, vying for control of Tripoli International Airport. Who are they? What do they stand for? And what's the likely
outcome at this point?
JOMANA KARADSHEH, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Becky, it's not yet clear, it's complicated Libya situation where overnight what seems to
be an alliance of different militias with one goal, to drive the Zintan militia out of the Tripoli airport. This has been a battle in the making
for about two years now. Tripoli Airport is a vital and key installation in the city and a number of groups within Tripoli and from outside the city
from the western city of Misrata to have been trying to push the Zintan brigades, the Zintan militias out of the airport and we are seeing this
taking place right now.
Of course, we're entering the 11th hour of fighting now that seems to be intermittent. Local media are reporting casualties to the airport have been
shut flights suspended for at least three days. And we are hearing the sounds of explosions and gunfire also from the western suburbs of Tripoli
where headquarter is based of a Zintan militia seems to also be under attack for the past several hours.
Becky, always the situation here -- there is concern that fighting like this, especially in this case, that involves heavily armed really powerful
militias could easily escalate into a wider scale conflict, something many are really concerned about here in Tripoli today.
ANDERSON: Jomana reporting from Tripoli for you live.
Well, in Iraq at least 34 people were killed in an attack at this apartment complex in eastern Baghdad. 26 of the victims were women. Area residents
say the target was a brothel.
Also in Baghdad, the Iraqi parliament met Sunday, but once again lawmakers were unable to choose a new government. They are scheduled to meet once
again on Tuesday.
Let's find out what's going on this hour. Arwa Damon joining us from Baghdad with the very latest details -- Arwa.
ARWA DAMON, CNN INTERANTIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Becky, let's start with parliament. The session lasting for about an hour. They did achieve quorum.
They did, however, once again fail to take that first step in creating a new government, which would be electing a speaker of parliament and his two
deputies. Parliament is set to convene once against on Tuesday.
The story of these massacres that took place is absolutely horrific. We have updated numbers for you, 28 women killed -- this is according to
morgue officials -- ages 16 to 33. Six men killed as well, ages 27 to 45. Morgue officials telling us that those six men were brought in with gunshot
wounds to the head.
Now where this took place is in an apartment complex in a middle class neighborhood in Baghdad. The complex long believed to also house brothels.
Residents telling us that there were brothels located in some of those apartments. The attack believed to be carried out as was initially told to
us by police officials, by a Shia militia.
And this is not the first time that Iraq has found itself victim of Shia religious militia rule. These militias historically have targeted brothels.
This particular neighborhood, this area in the past also saw Shia militias going into it carrying out some killings, but none to this scale.
Now CNN managed to obtain exclusive photographs of the interior of the crime scene. The person who took those photographs says that it was
absolutely shocking, the stench of blood was everywhere as he moved from room to room. More blood stains blood covering the bathroom, this clearly
at this stage, Becky, yet another indication that the Iraqi government is losing more authority and that the era of militia rule is returning, Becky.
ANDERSON: Arwa Damon in Baghdad. Arwa, thank you.
Still to come tonight, the American behind the push for Middle East peace is now in Vienna for talks on Iran's nuclear program. We're going to find
out how that move is being received in Israel and elsewhere. That is ahead. You're watching CNN. This is Connect the World. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: 20 past 6:00. You are back with us here in Jerusalem. I'm Becky Anderson. This is Connect the World with me, Becky Anderson.
Returning to our top story, the cycle of attack and counter attack that we are seeing between Israel and Gaza. I want to get you some video that aired
a short time ago on Israel's channel 10. It shows rockets being intercepted over Tel Aviv, Israel. Let's just have a look at a short part of that
original broadcast.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, Channel 10 also reporting that rockets were intercepted over Haifa, which is further north and Naharia (ph) in Israel as well.
It's not clear where the rockets came from or who launched them, especially the ones intercepted in the northern part of Israel.
Well, a UN relief agency says 70 percent of the Palestinians killed in Gaza have been civilians. And there are some 160 or more of those. But Israel
says it is only targeting Hamas militants who have now fired more than 800 rockets towards Isarel over the past week.
Barbara Starr with a look at the militants' firepower.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Israelis running for shelter in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, seeking safety from Hamas rockets
launched from Gaza, now a daily occurrence across Israel.
BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER: No country on earth would remain passive in the face of hundreds of rockets fired on its cities, and
Israel is no exception.
STARR: Israel calculates there are 10,000 rockets in Gaza in the hands of various terrorist groups.
LT. COL. RICK FRANCONA (RET.), CNN MILITARY ANALYST: The amount of rockets that we're seeing come out of Hamas and the Gaza Strip is really kind of
alarming. They're launching salvos of 40 at a time, over 100 a day.
STARR: A huge worry? The Hamas rocket called the M-302. With a range of about 100 miles, it allows Hamas to reach deeper into Israel than ever
before.
Israel says Hamas is getting outside help. In march, Israeli forces stopped a ship containing M-302s that the Israelis said came from Iran and were
headed for Gaza. Several rockets are also locally produced in Gaza. Israeli air strikes now aiming at rocket launch sites, production factories and
other militant targets.
Israel's main defense, this system called the Iron Dome. Strategically placed units around Israel launched missiles against incoming rockets that
appear headed for population centers. So far, Israel says it's worked well much of the time, but Hamas is looking for vulnerability.
FRANCONA: I think what they're trying to do is fire as many as they can in a short period of time, because that overwhelms the Iron Dome sensors.
STARR: The U.S. has already spent nearly $900 million on the Iron Dome, just part of the $3 billion in U.S. funding for Israel's defenses. The
Pentagon is keeping a close eye on whether Israel will launch a ground incursion into Gaza. U.S. officials say it's not career to them what will
happen next.
The U.S. keeps about $1 billion worth of ammunition, missiles and armored vehicles stockpiled in Israel. The Israelis can ask to use it in an
emergency, but right now they say they have everything they need.
Barbara Starr, CNN, The Pentagon.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Well, Barbara reminding us that there is a sort of wait and see attitude here as the Israeli forces build up on the border. Will they or
won't they launch this ground incursion.
Well, we got a copy of this just earlier on today. And this was a leaflet dropped on northern Gaza, which says, and I quote, part of it for your own
safety, and this was drooped by the IDF, the Israeli defense force or the Israeli army, for your own safety you should vacate your homes immediately
and quickly move towards -- and it tells residents where to go.
It says the Isreali Defense Force will launch an operation to strike terrorist elements and its infrastructure in the areas where rockets are
fired from towards the state of Israel. You have been warned, this leaflet says.
Live from Jerusalem, this is Connect the World with me Becky Anderson. Much more on this top story in a moment. First, though, I want to move away and
take a look at this week's African Start-up. How one man found a way to make his store stand out in what is Zanzibar's competitive tourist market.
We do that after this short break. I'll be back with the headlines after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RIZWAN JANMOHAMED, AROMAS OF ZANZIBAR: Hi, my name is Rizwan. And I founded Armoas of Zanzibar. Please, come inside. Have a look.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: In the heart of Zanzibar's Stone Town, Rizwan Janmohamed runs a clothing and accessory store unlike most others in the
city.
JANMOHAMED: My concept is utilizing the local available materials. So what I do, I make everything that I can make from the local resources available.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Zanzibar is a semiautonomous region of Tanzania. Its economy relies heavily on tourism. Realizing many tourist shops sold the
same items, Rizwan found his niche.
JANMOHAMED: When I started up the business, you can say it was a nightmare, like it was a really challenge, because 98 percent of the businesses they
are the same, they are similar and everyone is selling the same product. And even when I opened the shop, I had a really tough time, because my
product is different. So I had a really tough time in marketing it and selling it. And then they started to like the product. And the local
people, they support me.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: When Rizwan found a location for Aromas of Zanzibar, he made sure to keep a space in the back where everything would be made in
store.
JANMOHAMED: That's my workshop. Everything is produced inside here. Whatever you see in the shop here, everything is made here.
UNIDENTIFEID FEMALE: Rizwan now makes everything from guitar cases, shirts, to can holders. His first creations were much simpler.
JANMOHAMED: This was my first item. My first item to start with. And if you see -- you know, you need to think. You need to think how to arrange the
beads and how to make as well. It took me some time to figure it out, then it was possible.
Apart from necklace, also spices and tea.
Oh, wow, check this one, this is -- it's a Panama hat. And this is because I think a lot and it's a unique item.
Toiletry (inaudible). This one is so far the fastest selling item I can say. People like a lot this one.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So what has been Rizwan's biggest lesson?
JANMOHAMED: It's not about selling a product, it's about maintaining, it's about maintaining your show room, it's about how you talk to a customer.
It's about maintaining the relationship as well.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: This is CONNECT THE WORLD with me, Becky Anderson, live from Jerusalem, local time, 6:30. The top stories this hour.
Rival militia in Libya are locked in a fierce battle for control over Tripoli's main airport. Several militia trying to push out the Zintan
Brigade, so-called, which took over the airport in 2011. Now, all flights to and from Tripoli being canceled or diverted, and one of Libya's national
airlines says the airport will be closed for three days.
Iraqi security officials say 34 people have been killed in an attack on this apartment complex in eastern Baghdad. Residents say the building was
being used as a brothel. Most of the victims were women.
Iran's foreign minister says his country, and I quote, sees "no benefit in developing a nuclear weapon." Javad Zarif also told US network NBC that
Iran has other advantages over its neighbors, including better technology. His comments come ahead of nuclear talks in Austria between six world
powers and Tehran.
Israeli forces have dropped leaflets on northern Gaza warning people to leave their homes immediately to avoid attack. That was a little earlier on
today, and the deadline has now past, and Israel has acknowledged troops briefly entered Gaza to attack a rocket-launching site.
Well, Palestinian leaders say they are taking several steps to try to counter the Israeli military operation in Gaza. Let's get some specifics
for you. PLO executive committee member Hanan Ashrawi joins me now from Ramallah in the West Bank. And I know that you met as the Palestinian
leadership earlier on today. What was decided?
HANAN ASHRAWI, PLO EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER: We have been meeting, actually, daily, and during the morning and at night. The issue is
extremely critical. We have decided to take very serious steps in order to counter the Israeli measures, but also to provide, basically, protection
for the Palestinians, beginning with a request from the secretary-general of the UN to place Palestine under UN protection system.
This is very crucial, and we ask them to convene the legal committee as soon as possible in order to work out the concrete steps. But we also are -
-
(CROSSTALK)
ANDERSON: How much hope --
ASHRAWI: -- addressing the other foreign ministers in their meeting tomorrow in order to convene -- to ask for a meeting of the UN Security
Council and to call for a resolution, not a statement.
ANDERSON: Sure.
ASHRAWI: Even if the US vetoes that resolution, but it has to be at ministerial level and a resolution has to be adopted. We are also asking
for the --
(CROSSTALK)
ANDERSON: Hanan, let me ask you this.
ASHRAWI: -- immediate convening --
ANDERSON: Sorry, go on.
ASHRAWI: -- of the High -- yes. Go ahead. There are --
(CROSSTALK)
ANDERSON: Sorry, let's -- I just want to --
ASHRAWI: -- lots of other steps we can discuss later, Becky.
ANDERSON: Yes. Let me just talk to a couple of the things that you've suggested that the Palestinians want to see now, one of which is putting
the Palestinian community under a state of sort of protection by the UN. And you've also alluded to the fact that you are looking for concrete
action, not just statements out of the Security Council. How likely is it - -
ASHRAWI: Yes.
ANDERSON: -- do you think, that you're going to get what you're asking for from the international community at this point?
ASHRAWI: Well, if we were to follow the law, international law, and all the conventions pertaining to the protection of civilians in terms of war or
violence, particularly the fourth Geneva Convention and its protocols, then certainly there would be concrete steps. It is incumbent upon the
signatories and the international community to maintain peace and security.
If we look at precedence, we know that the US always vetoes any resolutions pertaining to Palestine and always manages to create a legal immunity for
Israel to continue to act with impunity.
ANDERSON: Yes.
ASHRAWI: And it has devalued the global legal system in order to deprive the Palestinians of protection and to provide Israel with immunity as a
country above the law. But we still have recourse to other agencies, including the fourth Geneva Convention, and --
ANDERSON: Yes.
ASHRAWI: -- of course, we can ask -- we can pursue accountability, judicial accountability for Israel, which would be one curb --
ANDERSON: All right.
ASHRAW: -- since Israel is used to acting without any kind of intervention.
ANDERSON: Hanan, let's talk about the situation on the ground, because I'm about to talk to somebody in Gaza who has been on the wrong end, as it
were, of these telephone calls that come from the Israeli army warning them that their houses are about to be bombed.
I want to know from you, there have been rockets fired out of Gaza that I know have landed in the West Bank, so clearly the Palestinian community at
danger there. How much support do you believe there is amongst the Palestinian community as a whole, for the action that Hamas is taking it
says in defense of its people against Israel at present?
ASHRAWI: Well, first of all, nobody wants to see any civilians get hurt or get killed. Right now, 168 Palestinians have been killed, mainly women and
children --
ANDERSON: Correct.
ASHRAWI: -- whole families obliterated. Eight families were completely destroyed. We have 1,130 people injured, many of them seriously. So, the
thing is, we cannot talk about Palestinians telling Hamas and so on to cease-fire or stop when Hamas and the people of Gaza are seeing themselves
under relentless, cruel bombardment and attack by air, by sea, by land, without any protection.
So, at this time, Hamas feels it has to strike back, even if it is haphazard, even if it is quite often totally ineffective. And the
Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank feel that they are wrong in this situation.
ANDERSON: All right.
ASHRAWI: It's a crisis, it's a tragedy, and people are defending not just Hamas as an organization, but the Palestinian people as a whole. Gaza is
being targeted, yes, militarily, but also the West Bank is being targeted in many ways, militarily, but also in terms of the settlements, in terms of
the fragmentation and so on.
ANDERSON: Sure. OK.
ASHRAWI: And the annexation of Jerusalem. So, we feel that are together facing an Israeli occupation --
ANDERSON: OK.
ASHRAWI: -- that is absolutely cruel.
ANDERSON: You've made your point. And thank you for joining us here on CNN. Hanan Ashrawi there.
Well, the conflict between Israel and Gaza taking place against a backdrop of a region dealing with the ongoing civil war in Syria, the insurgency in
Iraq, the rise of militant groups in Libya. No shortage of conflict.
But in the coming week, there is an opportunity for one major regional issue, the standoff over Iran's nuclear program, to end in diplomatic
compromise. The US secretary of state has joined the talks in Vienna.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN KERRY, US SECRETARY OF STATE: Obviously we have some very significant gaps still. So, we need to see if we can make some progress. And I really
look forward to a very substantive and important set of meetings and dialogues.
And we obviously -- this is a very important subject. It is vital to make certain that Iran is not going to develop a nuclear weapon, that their
program is peaceful, that's what we're here to try to achieve, and I hope we can make some progress in it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: All right. Well, clearly some differences that Kerry and his counterparts have to overcome, but how are those talks being viewed from
Israel, and could a possible resolution affect the conflict here?
For all of that, I'm joined by Meir Javedanfar in Tel Aviv. He's an Iranian-Israeli commentator who's been following this for a number of
years. Some would argue that the current military standoff with Israel and Hamas is by no means coincidental.
Where do you believe Prime Minister Netanyahu would rather have the world's attention, a cease-fire to the current deadly conflict, or historic talks
between Iran and P5+1?
MEIR JAVEDANFAR, MIDDLE EAST ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL ANALYSIS CO.: I think the current conflict in -- between Israel and Hamas, it's born out of a
number of months of frustration and also a lot of ambiguities regarding who actually was responsible for the kidnapping of the Israeli teenagers.
ANDERSON: Sure.
JAVEDANFAR: We still don't know if Hamas was responsible. There's some assumptions, nothing's been proven yet.
I think when it comes to the Iran talks, I think Israel's priority is to make sure that there's a deal which ensures that Iran is kept far away from
the capability to make a weapon as possible. And this is the main concern, but of course, Prime Minister Netanyahu wants Iran to have no enrichment
capability on its soil, which in my honest opinion, is unrealistic.
ANDERSON: As an Israeli-Iranian yourself, what's your viewpoint about how the standoff and how the conflicts in the region are developing, out of
interest?
JAVEDANFAR: It is a lot of concern, actually. I think what's interesting is that Israeli and Hamas have something in common today. Iran wishes that
both of them would lose in the current conflict. Because of course, we know how the Iranian government -- Iranian hierarchy views Israel, no
explanation needed.
But also, Iran is very disappointed with Hamas, because for years, Iran was giving money to Hamas. There was an article in "The Guardian" that by 2012,
Hamas was receiving something like 23 million pounds ever month.
But Hamas turned its back to Iran, and now, for example, Khaled Mashaal wanted to go back to Iran, but after Hamas turned its back to Iran in the
Syrian conflict, they're seeing Iran is no longer interested in supporting Hamas.
So, the region is continuing in turmoil. What's the most important thing that Israel needs to do is that we actually need to be talking to the
Palestinians. Yes, Hamas is a terrorist organization, but we should be talking to the organization and Mrs. Ashrawi, who you just spoke to,
because one of the ways to weaken Iran and to weaken our enemies is actually to reach a deal with the PLO.
So, we might be militarily strong in this region, Becky, but what's far more important is that we need to be diplomatically strong, and
unfortunately, that's our weakest side right now.
ANDERSON: All right. And we have -- or are running out of time. So for today, at least, I'm going to leave it there. But let's talk again. You
make a lot of very good points. Thank you.
And to Brazil just before we leave you, where in about three hours, of course, the game many have been waiting for here and around the world will
be kicking off. Football giants Germany and Argentina go head-to-head in Rio for a chance to get another World Cup title under their belt.
This is the first time the two favorites have met in the finals, so no surprise that expectations are high for this match. Amanda Davies joining
us from Rio. You have less than 60 seconds. Take it away.
AMANDA DAVIES, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Becky, of course it was Argentina who won the final when these two sides met in 1986. Germany took
the finals in 1990, both looking for their first titles since then.
And I have to say, Rio has turned into Argentina on sea, 100,000 Argentina fans have traveled here for the big one, Becky. It is the most phenomenal
atmosphere on Copa Cabana. Fans in motor homes, sleeping on the streets. The party has been going on all night already.
Of course, Argentina would love nothing more than to claim this World Cup title on the home soil of their great rivals, Brazil. But Germany and the
team going into the match as the favorites after that phenomenal semifinals victory, all set-up to be an absolutely cracker of a finale to what has
been an incredible six weeks.
ANDERSON: You are absolutely right, and we'll be watching from here as you will from there, as our viewers will be wherever they are watching around
the world. Amanda, thank you.
You've been watching CONNECT THE WORLD with me, Becky Anderson, live from Jerusalem. MARKETPLACE MIDDLE EAST on CNN up next. I'll be back at the top
of the hour with the headlines for you.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
JOHN DEFTERIOS, HOST: This week on MARKETPLACE MIDDLE EAST, a special report on youth unemployment from Jordan. The region has the highest rate
in the world, so we explore training programs that take youth off the streets and prepare them for the real world.
Welcome to this special edition of CNN MARKETPLACE MIDDLE EAST, this week from Amman, where we're dealing with one of the most vital issues in the
region today, and that is youth unemployment.
For example, here in Jordan, one out of four young Jordanians is without a job. And it's been that way for years, exacerbated now by a refugee crisis
in neighboring Syria, and also violence in Iraq.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DEFTERIOS (voice-over): In this tiny auto repair shop, one finds a partial solution to sky-high youth unemployment. Twenty-three-year-old Khalil Anwar
can now fix his sights on a career after a year-long apprenticeship program.
The shop is one of more than a dozen on the aptly-named Middle East Street in Amman, where he is couched by his owner.
KHALIL ANWAR, AUTO APPRENTICE (through translator): I benefited a lot from it, how to monitor a car, using an electronic device. How to fill the gas
correctly and how to fix the damaged cars, things like that.
DEFTERIOS: After years of debate on how to lift up the most vulnerable, training programs are targeting the informal economy, small businesses that
need qualified workers. This is a regional challenge. Youth unemployment in the Middle East and North Africa is running above 27 percent, the highest
in the world. Jordan's is slightly above that average.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
DEFTERIOS: And the government has allocated ample resources to reverse this trend. According to the World Bank, some 10 percent of GDP for the last two
decades. But the challenge is, closing the gap between what happens in the classroom and what is needed by industry.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DEFTERIOS (voice-over): This is where Yasser Ali of the International Labour Organization comes into the picture. For their auto academy pilot
program, the ILO brought together trade unions and private sector companies to see what is needed in the labor market.
YASSER ALI, PROJECT COORDINATOR, ILO: Thinking like this can make a step forward in order to address youth employment. But it needs involvement of
all partners in this process.
DEFTERIOS: And the early results are promising. Trainer and mentor Youssef Rahal said he's taught nearly 200 students, with a placement rate of 89
percent.
YOUSSEF RAHAL, TRAINER, AUTO TECHNOLOGY ACADEMY (through translator): The drastic change in the students that come to us with no skills, they're
either dropouts or only have high school degrees. They are 17, 18, 19, 20 years old.
DEFTERIOS: In a rural Bedouin area outside Amman called Mafraq, there is groundbreaking work taking place inside this bright orange community
center. Up to 50 women, many who have not held jobs before, are being trained to work in a textile factory that is being built nearby.
TAHANI SALAMA, TRAINEE (through translator): Everything is provided. Most importantly is the safe transportation.
RUWAIDA THAMRI, TRAINEE (through translator): I met new people and I learned how to interact better with my manager and with my colleagues.
DEFTERIOS: The Jordan Career and Education Foundation, or JCEF, is an organization that deals with skills training and job placement. I had a
chance to talk to the CEO and ask her what needs to be done urgently.
MAYYADA ABU JABER, CEO, JCEF: Most important, to get the private sector engaged in the training. Because the youth have really got tired from
education systems that do not get the labor market, training programs that are just training without seeing the end. So, I think that when the private
sector is engaged and there are committed jobs, I think that's the real solution for all the employment.
DEFTERIOS (on camera): You hear this complaint on both sides. The educators saying the private sector's not engaged, and the private sector suggesting
the educators don't give us what we need. How do you close that gap?
JABER: You know something? When we did our employment studies in Jordan, the employment -- unemployment turned out to be the orphan child. Because
the private sector would point to academia saying, it's your problem. And academia says, it's your problem. But the reality is, it's all of us. It's
the responsibility of all of us.
DEFTERIOS: In ten years' time, do you think we'll still have about one out of four youth still without a job, after all this work and people talking
about it and plugging away for the better part of a decade?
JABER: Well, I am sure that the way we are working now with movement forward, with the private-public partnership, learning from best practices.
In the States, for example, the education system is very-much linked to the private sector. Students do projects in university that are linked.
Looking at the German model, learning from best practices, applying it here, I think we will be -- I think things should look good in ten years,
hopefully.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
DEFTERIOS: When MARKETPLACE MIDDLE EAST continues, I go one-on-one with the minister of labor and some of his policy ideas, and why the battle against
youth unemployment might be lost because of the refugee crisis in neighboring Syria.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
DEFTERIOS: Welcome back to MARKETPLACE MIDDLE EAST, this week from Amman. Youth unemployment is not a new subject, but it is stubbornly high here in
Jordan. The Arab Spring hit investment, and the Syrian civil war sparked a refugee crisis.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DEFTERIOS (voice-over): It is a complex issue for the nation, with a population of almost 8 million. The Jordanian government says approximately
1.2 million Syrians have fled from their country and entered into Jordan. According to the UNHCR, more than half have claimed refugee status and need
shelter.
The UNHCR has also registered 29,000 Iraqi refugees. This number is set to rise if the ongoing destabilization continues. About 5,000 people from
other countries have crossed the border into Jordan also seeking sanctuary.
I asked the Jordanian labor minister if it's possible to make a dent in unemployment in indeed this is the medium-term scenario.
NIDAL KATAMINE, JORDANIAN MINISTER OF LABOR: The problem is when you have a lot of sudden increase of population into the country, vis-a-vis the
refugees that we're receiving from Syria, and prior to that, the existing economic situation going on via the Arab Spring in neighboring countries.
That has definitely increased the number of foreign labor force in the country.
Hence, your strategies have to be all the time readjusted. But it's very to keep maintaining a strategy that would reduce figures in view of this very
unusual phenomenon as it were.
DEFTERIOS (on camera): Let's get blunt. Is the West, in your view, or the industrialized world, not doing enough to assist in this transition because
of the Syrian crisis, and again the bubbling of the Iraqi crisis and the influence it has and the strains on the jobless, particularly youth
unemployment in your country?
KATAMINE: To be very frank with you, I think the West is looking into it and trying to do something, but in effect, they're not really doing enough
to support Jordan in this disaster, as it were. This is a disaster that is happening in the region, and Jordan is taking the thrust of it.
Now, we've been trying to reach out to the donors and the rest of the world. We've received a lot of promises. We received a lots of pats on the
back, but unfortunately, we have not really received real support. And we're very, very, very disappointed at this stage.
As a minister of labor, I made my voice clear last year into the ILO, the International Labour Organization, and I keep for assistance. Because
ultimately, you need to help the people who are on the ground here, who are require training or require to be adjusted within a new society and also
not to influence the existing labor society that they were hosting it. So - -
DEFTERIOS: Well, if you have nearly one out of four youth unemployed, and you have a Syrian refugee come in or an Iraqi refugee come in, what
happens? Do they undercut the existing wages that are there? This is the tension on the street?
KATAMINE: If I just give you an idea of the scale of the problem and the magnitude, imagine that all of Canada has just visited the USA. This is how
it is now for us vis-a-vis the receipt of refugees alone, let alone the neighboring countries, like Egypt, like Asians, like -- it is very tough
for us. It is affecting our labor force.
Unfortunately, those who are living in Jordan as refugees, they are looking for any work that could actually cover their expenses, and therefore, the
reduced wages is attracting the labor market, and obviously, that is definitely influencing the figures in Jordan.
DEFTERIOS: A critical issue is the role of the private sector. The private sector has been complaining for years they don't like what comes out of the
education system because they have to retrain the workers. Should they stop complaining and actually be more active at the front line of the challenge?
KATAMINE: I think in Jordan, we have not succeeded in the past to do the proper mismatch. And I think even the developed world is facing problems,
and I feel that, for example, the body which is responsible for unemployment in the rest of the world is all the Ministries of Labor, which
is not true, which should not be the case.
Each ministry in relation to its own specific tasks should be responsible for that particular sector of unemployment. For example, the Ministry of
Health should be responsible for the unemployment figures, and they should be doing the mismatch or the match between the graduates of the health
sector, and how could it actually fill into the jobs that are available in the market.
So, I think there is an overall comprehensive picture that should be looked into rather than just looking into it from an aggregate point of view.
DEFTERIOS: I'd like to take it to a personal level. You're a father of three, two are training to be solicitors or attorneys in the UK. Would you
welcome them back and say there's enough opportunity for you in our home market? Or is it just a pipe dream or an emotional desire, but not a
reality?
KATAMINE: To be honest with you, I think I would definitely like them to carry on working in Jordan. Still, wherever you go, there is a challenge
for every individual, even if you want to go find a job in the UK, you still have to compete with a lot of challenges, compete with a lot of those
who have, probably, better qualifications than yourselves.
And therefore, even in Jordan, you still have to compete, and I think it's only making Jordanians stronger to try to present themselves to the labor
market to represent themselves with more communication skills and more experiences. And obviously, I don't think I should worry about them finding
a job in Jordan if they are qualified.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
DEFTERIOS: And for more about the program, visit our website, cnn.com/mme. You can reach out and message us on Facebook and find me on Twitter as
well. And that's all for this edition of CNN MARKETPLACE MIDDLE EAST, this week from Jordan. I'm John Defterios, thanks for watching. We'll see you
next week.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
END
