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Saudi Colonel Implies Iran Responsible for Oil Attack; Trump Says U.S. Locked and Loaded After Saudi Oil Attack; Oil Prices Soar After Saudi Oil Facilities are Hit; Rouhani Will Appear with Russian and Turkish Leaders Today; Netanyahu, Gantz in Tight Race on Eve of General Election; Yair Lapid on Prospect of Peace with Palestinians; Boris Johnson Booed by Protesters in Luxembourg; Interview with Yoav Kisch, Likud Member, Israeli Knesset, Likud Voter Turnout. Aired 11a-12p ET
Aired September 16, 2019 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[11:00:00]
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST: Hello and welcome to a special edition of CONNECT THE WORLD with me, Becky Anderson. We are live from Jerusalem for
you this evening connecting you to two major stories that could dramatically change the way this region operates.
Well, the clock ticking down on round two of the Israeli elections. Tomorrow people here head to the polls once again for the second time in
five months after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu failed to form a governing coalition. The election could see him win a record fifth term or
flat-out end his decade-long dominance of Israeli politics.
Well this coming as the Middle East teeters on a razor's edge after an unprecedented attack on the heart of Saudi Arabia's oil supply. The U.S.
President saying his country is locked and loaded and ready to respond on its ally's behalf. We know what happened and where. We just don't know
yet who was behind the massive strikes on a Saudi oil field. Attacks that caused oil prices to soar and has even led to a suggestion of direct action
from the United States. You are looking at the remarkable aftereffects of strikes, ones that as we say cut the entire world oil supply by 5 percent.
Despite earlier claims from the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, the Saudi let coalition issued this statement in the past couple of hours.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LT. COL. TURKI AL-MALKI, SPOKESMAN, SAUDI-LED COALITION (through translator): All practical evidence and indicators and the weapons used in
both attacks show preliminarily that these are Iranian weapons. We are working on finalizing these investigations. Our results will be announced.
The terror attack was not from Yemen as the Houthis have claimed. They are just tools used by the IRGC.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well that's seem to mirror the thinking in Washington. President Trump says this, quote, Iran say they have nothing to do with the
attack on Saudi Arabia. We'll see.
We're covering all sides of this international story. We're going to hear from Saudi Arabia and Iran in just a moment. First, John Defterios has
reaction from our studios in Abu Dhabi. Our military analyst, John Kirby, is standing by for you in Washington and Arwa Damon is in Turkey where
President Rouhani is due to speak alongside Russian and Turkish leaders this hour.
John, let me start with you. President Trump has said that he had been waiting to hear from the Kingdom -- the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia -- as to
who they believe were behind these attacks before he decides, one assumes, what happens next. So what have we heard from Saudi Arabia at this point?
JOHN DEFTERIOS, CNNMONEY EMERGING MARKETS EDITOR: Well, as you know, Becky, they have been keeping their powder dry, refusing to comment to
date. So this is the first time we've heard officially from the Saudis and two key themes emerged here .
First and foremost saying that the weapons were not launched from Yemen, although Saudi Arabia didn't indicate so far where they were launched from.
They said the evidence would appear over time.
Number two, that the weapons were actually made in Iran. Then he went on to say that the Houthis are part of a much bigger game by the Revolutionary
Guard in Iran at this stage, basically puppets in the regional power play by Iran going forward.
Then I thought it was interesting what he had to say about the strikes against Saudi's oil facilities. He said it wasn't just a strike against
Saudi Arabia but trying to put it in a global context, saying this would have a ripple effect throughout the global economy and that it needs a
brand coalition to resist this effort by Iran. Not only to spread its influence but to try not to shock the global economy by eliminating the
supplies and potentially pushing the global economy into recession. So some key facts coming out, although they suggested more evidence is coming
to watch this space.
ANDERSON: Yes, and that isn't the first time that we've heard Saudi Arabia, other Gulf allies, including the UAE, talking about attacks in this
region being an attack on the global oil supply, on the global economy. We heard a similar narrative, didn't we, on these attacks on tankers in the
Gulf. This attack specifically, John, sent brent crude prices soaring as much as 20 percent earlier today. I know that prices have since
stabilized, but this is the biggest single spike that we have seen in decades, John. How significant is this?
[11:05:00]
DEFTERIOS: Well, that spike up to 20 percent was extraordinary. It only lasted about an hour. We've cut those losses in half, Becky. But 5.7
million Barrels in a single day sets a record. Let's put this into context.
If you go all the way back to the 1970s, we've had four other major events. I remember covering the invasion of Kuwait back in 1990. That was a strong
hit. We've had others that have come close, but nobody has hit 5.7 million barrels a day in a single day. You see the market reaction here with the
major oil companies into the United States rallying because of this. Worries about future supplies, and then that chart I was talking about,
going back to the 1970s, this ranks number one.
Now, the delicate issue is can Saudi Arabia fill the void. Sources are suggesting that they have about 200 million barrels of supplies now
scattered around in Asia and in Amsterdam. This provides a cushion. But the multibillion-dollar question, as you know, is can they get this
restored quickly. Sources are telling me this will take weeks, not days to manifest itself as we go forward.
ANDERSON: John Kirby, the White House seems to have dialed back on what was an alarming tweet from President Trump. It has to be said. He said
Saudi Arabia oil supply was attacked. There is reason to believe that we know the culprit. We are locked and loaded, depending on verification.
That was the tweet of the U.S. President in response to these attacks over the weekend. The White House says that doesn't necessarily mean military
action. But are we veering closer to that anyway at this point?
JOHN KIRBY, CNN MILITARY AND DIPLOMATIC ANALYST: Well, it's hard to know. I do think it was inappropriate language and it does look like they have
tried to put this into some better context. They had a principals committee meeting yesterday on Sunday where all the national security
principals got together to talk about options and we are being told there is another one going on right now. That is a good sign, Becky, that there
is a normal interagency process for discussing what the options are.
The other thing that it tells me is that the military option isn't going to be the only one on the table. You don't normally just bring the principals
together if all you're going to talk about is a military solution. So while there are certainly military options that he could use, I suspect
that they're looking at a menu to include economic and perhaps diplomatic options as well.
You have the U.N. General Assembly coming up next week. This is a good opportunity. And this might be the best opportunity for this particular
administration that hasn't worked well with others, that doesn't believe in multi-lateral institutions and partnerships to maybe try to marshal some
world cohesion on what to do about Iran.
As John was just reporting, this has had an impact on the global oil supply. So maybe in ways that they haven't had an opportunity before, you
now can get people who normally wouldn't sign up with Trump but would actually may be join something with the United States if it wasn't just
military, if maybe it was sort of an international economic set of sanctions under the U.N. auspices because everybody now is affected by it.
ANDERSON: Fascinating. John, thank you. Arwa is in Turkey. Where, Arwa, there is a tri-lateral meeting going on as we speak in Ankara. President
Rouhani, the Russian President and the Turkish President are meeting. We are waiting for a press conference and these are live pictures as we await
that press conference. What can we expect to hear specifically from the Iranian President at this point?
ARWA DAMON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, presumably, Becky, he's not going to necessarily volunteer information and it will
depend on what sort of questions the reporters do ask. This trilateral meeting has been on the schedule for quite some time now. It's meant to be
focusing on what's happening in Syria. Namely what's happening in Idlib province -- the last rebel held province.
But perhaps it is fortuitous timing for the Iranians since they are able to sit down face-to-face with two key allies, Turkey and Russia. And it's
hard to imagine a scenario where what's happening would not be brought up. Now, we're going to have to -- like I was saying -- wait and see exactly
how the Iranian leader addresses it if he does address it. And in fact, how the three leaders themselves do decide to address it.
This alliance that they have when it comes to Syria, they're not necessarily on the same page when it comes to that, but I think it's an
example of how at least when it comes to Syria in particular, they can be on different pages and yet still be brought together to discuss issues.
[11:10:00]
Turkey historically speaking has quite often tried to position itself as being a mediator. So perhaps this is also a challenge that Turkey would
perhaps be open to undertaking when it comes to trying to ease tensions in the region, if that is even possible at this stage -- Becky.
ANDERSON: It is Iranian influence in Syria that its critics say provides through its proxies a great example of its malign action around the region.
We are yet to identify from where the strikes originated on this Saudi oil plant or indeed what sort of missiles were used should those have been
ballistic. Clearly, again, another example of what Iran's critics say is its malign and dangerous behavior in the region. President Rouhani in
Ankara today flanked by what one might describe as two friends in a region full of foes.
DAMON: Yes, he is, Becky. And what Iran's opponents will point to is examples of Iranian proxies in Iraq, Iranian proxies in Lebanon, in Syria,
in Yemen. But at the same time when you look at those battle zones, other nations who have interests in the region have their proxies and their
tactics as well.
If we go out to look at what's happening in the region as a whole, for quite some time now when we look at this part of the globe you see that it
is very often a proxy sort of battlefield. Iran presumably is perhaps going to be looking for some sort of assurances outside of the framework of
today's tri-lateral talks when it comes to what sort of guarantees of support it can possibly get from Turkey and from Russia.
But as we all know when it comes to this part of the world, this is not a region that can afford additional volatility. This is not a region that
needs to see any more humanitarian crises or any more civilian casualties, so at this stage one can only hope that calmer minds prevail.
ANDERSON: One can but hope. Arwa, thank you. Arwa is covering what will be a press conference that we will get you to as in when, that is a press
conference in Ankara and we are expecting to hear from the Iranian President, Hassan Rouhani. Incredibly important to listen and get some
sense of where he is at as we step back and look at this bigger picture here.
I want to get a deep dive on this, some analysis from the two countries on the front line of what is this incredibly important story. Nic Robertson,
my colleague, is in Riyadh and Nick Paton Walsh is in Tehran. Let me start with you, Nic, and what we have just heard from the Saudis. What do you
read into what we've heard and how it might affect any action going forward?
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: I think what we're going to see from the Saudis is more details emerging, more details of the
attack itself, more details of whom they think is responsible, specifically the sites where the attacks originated from. That's what the spokesman has
said here. Iranian-made missiles, Iranian technology. And the Saudis have said that before about big scud missiles that have been fired by the
Houthis into Saudi Arabia from Yemen.
This is different. They're saying this time not fired by the Houthis, not coming from Yemen. But in the past when they've said that, they've given
the evidence, the military hardware, the missile systems to the U.N. to investigate and the U.N. in those cases has validated Saudi Arabia's claims
that some of this equipment was Iranian made.
So I think we're going to see as well the Saudis try to take this evidence, to put it more badly on an international stage, to get bigger international
buy-in for whatever position they're going to take on this, and that position I think is something that's going to be developed behind closed
doors. But there are more details to come on this -- Becky.
ANDERSON: Nick Paton Walsh, ahead of hearing from the Saudis today as to who they believe was behind this attack. They still haven't said, although
they have detailed where they believe the devices were made.
But ahead of that, I want to just remind our viewers what the U.S. President said. He said there is reason to believe that we know the
culprit. We are locked and loaded, depending on verification.
[11:15:00]
But we are waiting to hear from the Kingdom as to who they believe was the cause of this attack and under what terms we would proceed.
What's the perspective in Tehran at this point as to what the U.S. President is expected to do next?
NICK PATON WALSH, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: I think one of the key spokespeople here in Tehran this morning for the foreign ministry echoed I
think many frankly, what people in Washington are trying to work out, exactly what is the Trump policy on this issue. The foreign ministry
spokesperson says nothing that Trump says really lasts longer than 24 hours. And that locked and loaded comment itself was qualified by a
spokesperson for the U.S. Vice President. Who said actually, he was talking about oil reserves. In this region, locked and loaded means one
thing. It means probably someone is likely to get hurt.
So there's no misinterpretation about Trump's desire to sound bellicose when that comes. The question is does he intend to follow through in that.
He said cocked and loaded when a U.S. drone was taken out of the sky a number of months ago and then it seems pulled back from air strikes because
he thought it was going to kill 150 Iranians and didn't seek necessarily to the conflagration here. So many people here trying to work I think on what
U.S. policy actually is -- Becky.
ANDERSON: Nick Paton Walsh is in Tehran. Nic Robertson is in Saudi. We are all over this story. These developments being watched very closely
here in Jerusalem as well as Israel's historic election is just hours away. And the race remains too close to call. Going to break that down for you
up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Welcome back to a special edition of CONNECT THE WORLD. I'm Becky Anderson in Jerusalem where it is just after 6:15 in the evening.
This week we are bringing you special editions of CONNECT THE WORLD live from the holy city.
At this time tomorrow Israelis will be voting in their second general election in five months. It was called after Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu failed to form a government last spring. And it is a high-stakes cliff hanger this one. CNN's Oren Liebermann tells us Mr. Netanyahu is
locked in another tight battle with his former army chief.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
OREN LIEBERMANN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): It's an election race too close to call. The long-time leader of Israel versus the former leader of
the military. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holding a cabinet meeting in the West Bank, promising to annex parts of the territory if he wins.
Despite the inevitable international outcry, Netanyahu has shown once again he'll do whatever it takes to win.
The 69-year-old leader has put his friendship with President Donald Trump on full display.
[11:20:00]
He's made claims of election fraud, saying the left and the Arabs wants to steal the elections.
BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER: Yet another secret nuclear site --
LIEBERMANN: In his element, Netanyahu has controlled the news agenda, making big announcements almost nightly. But in his get-out-the-vote push,
he issued a warning to supporters of his Likud Party.
NETANYAHU (through translator): Don't sit at home, don't say it doesn't matter. It matters, all right. Right now we're losing. If you go out and
vote Likud, then we'll win.
LIEBERMANN: Former Chief of Staff Benny Gantz has been polling neck and neck with Netanyahu. He has struggled to control the narrative and has not
found a resounding message. Analysts have said his campaign is lackluster, and yet he's very much in this race. His main talking point, Netanyahu is
a danger to democracy.
BENNY GANTZ, BLUE AND WHITE LEADER (through translator): Those who do not want to see a government that tramples on the principles of democracy must
go out and vote Blue and White.
LIEBERMANN: Gantz served under Netanyahu as the Israeli military chief of staff, but now they are political enemies. These two men were separated by
less than 15,000 votes in April's election. Both claimed victory that night and both men were, in the end, mistaken. Now it's round two, where a
second chance to win also means another chance to lose.
Oren Liebermann, CNN, Jerusalem.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Well, the two front-runners are both calling on their supporters to get out and vote, but there are a number of other parties running in
this election. CNN's Sam Kiley has been out and about on the campaign trail. He did talk with the former Prime Minister and current candidate,
Ehud Barak, about why this election could be a turning point for Israel. Have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
EHUD BARAK, FORMER ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER: We are fighting for the very faith and future and identity of Israel. And it's crucial because many
people do not understand it, cannot see far enough and cannot feel it because they are pushing Israel downward to our nationalist demagogue's
populist attitude happens incrementally. So you don't feel any, morning, look a beautiful morning. You don't feel suppressed here but we are only
two fingers from Alban in Hungary and already fighting from Erdogan in Turkey. There is a direct and immediate threat to the very democracy in
Israel.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: That's fascinating. Sam Kiley joining us now from Tel Aviv. What else have you been learning -- Sam?
SAM KILEY, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, the first thing that strikes one on a day in Tel Aviv, Becky, is that you really wouldn't
know there was a general election here. And if Tel Aviv is considered the home of the center left, then they may well find themselves in trouble.
There's not a single election poster I've seen all day. Now it's also the hometown of Yair Lapid, the co-leader of the Blue and White Party. I met
with him a couple of days ago on his campaign bus. During which he was able to lay out his stall, really more about the international issues
really than the local. This is what he said to me.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KILEY: Are you confident that you can still build a happy relationship with Donald Trump if you come into government? He's so close to Benjamin
Netanyahu.
YAIR LAPID, YESH ATID PARTY CHAIRMAN: Well, I think he's close to the state of Israel. I think this is part of his agenda. I think President
Trump has made it clear that for him to come through with the promises he made during the campaign is the most important thing. And, for example,
the removal of the embassy to Jerusalem -- moving the embassy to Jerusalem and the recognition of the Golan Heights, two campaign promises that he
kept which we are all thankful. And every Israeli government is going to have close and warm relationship with the American -- with the White House
and with the President.
KILEY: Do you have much faith in his deal of the century?
LAPID: I don't know yet. Nobody saw the details, which is a smart thing. It means that they have -- were pretty profoundly looking back and seeing
what went wrong in previous deals. So I thought the first part of it was at least a very good idea. Talking directly to the young Palestinians,
telling them look at your leadership, look at this old, corrupt leadership that prevents you from having a life, from having an economy, from having -
- from having opportunities. I think it's an interesting approach. It's refreshing and might even work. There will never be any kind of agreement
unless we are sure that on the other side there is a friendly state.
[11:25:03
We're not going to give anybody anything unless we are completely sure that it's going to be something which is not only tangible and have existential
possibilities, but also safe for us and, therefore, they will have to prove this to us, not the other way around.
KILEY: Would you freeze the settlements?
LAPID: Well, this is -- it's not a relevant thing because there's no negotiation.
KILEY: But Israel has been -- there have already been -- there is no negotiation precisely because of the march of settlements across the West
Bank. That is the stated position of the Palestinian authority.
LAPID: Well, maybe, but there is no negotiation because the Palestinians have been saying no to every offer, they were given for 25 years in a row.
KILEY: If you were a betting man. What would you say your chances are you block of winning and you emerging as a member of the new government? What
are your odds?
LAPID: Well, pretty good. We're already the largest party in the Knesset today. We are going toe to toe with Netanyahu on the polls, which is
fairly unbelievable for a political body that was established seven months ago.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KILEY: Now, Becky, this election really, as you know, and as Oren was reporting there, is really all about the future of Benjamin Netanyahu. He
has controlled the narrative. It is his narrative on the West Bank on the issues relating to the future of the Palestinian territories. He has
defined and had others react to. And given the level of, frankly, boredom with regard to this election here I detect here in Tel Aviv, things are
looking potentially quite tricky for the center left -- Becky.
ANDERSON: Fascinating. All right, thank you, Sam. Sam's in Tel Aviv and he'll be there at party headquarters with Oren Liebermann, our colleague,
tomorrow as these polls close and as we begin to get these election results.
We just heard from one side in the Israeli election. Up next we'll hear from the other, a conversation with a key ally of Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu. That is when CONNECT THE WORLD with me, Becky Anderson, returns. We're going to take a very short break. Back in Jerusalem after
this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:30:00]
ANDERSON: You're watching CNN. This is CONNECT THE WORLD with me, Becky Anderson. We are live as the sun goes down in Jerusalem for you this hour.
A reminder of our top story. The global finger of blame pointing at Iran after a crippling series of strikes on a Saudi oil field. Now, the Saudi-
led coalition says the attack was not from Yemen as Houthi rebels had previously claimed, and the preliminary report suggests Iranian weapons
were used.
U.S. President Trump also implied Iran's involvement in the past couple of hours. We are expecting to hear from Iran's President any time now. He's
in Ankara meeting Vladimir Putin of Russia and Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey. As of when, we'll get you to that.
I want you to now, to look and more importantly listen to a scene out of Europe.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(CROWD BOOING)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson there getting booed by anti-Brexit protesters in Luxembourg. The noisy crowd kept him from a news
conference with the country's Prime Minister. Earlier Mr. Johnson met with the President of the European Commission and said he believes there is a
good chance of reaching a deal. The very latest on Brexit for you.
Let's get you the very latest on these Israeli elections, which are, of course, taking place tomorrow. It will be the second time that voters head
to the polls in five months after the last election produced a deadlock with no party able to form a government. Well a short time ago we heard
from a member of the Blue and White coalition, the co-founder in fact, Yair Lapid. Let's get the perspective now from the ruling Likud Party.
Joining me is Knesset member, Yoav Kisch. He comes to us live from Tel Aviv tonight. And we thank you for that, sir. The polls show this
election once again too close to call. And the Prime Minister it seems is panicking, or at least that's what he'd have your party's supporters
believe. Do you share Netanyahu's concerns that Likud voters will fail to turn out in sufficient numbers to give your party a fighting chance of
building a coalition?
YOAV KISCH, LIKUD MEMBER, ISRAELI KNESSET: Good afternoon, Becky. He's totally right. And I'll simplify that by saying it's true that the Likud
and the right-wing government parties have majority of voters in Israel. The main problem is the actual voting rate of those people. And we do see
that because we had elections not long ago, I think four or five months ago, another election so fast, many people are tired of the process. They
don't want to go to vote, they're staying at their homes. And by doing so, there's a high risk of the right-wing, the Likud, to lose this election.
ANDERSON: I wonder whether you think a lot of people are slightly tired of Likud and its Prime Minister. I know that a lot of Likud veterans have
said that they're not voting for the party this time. Benny Begin, Dan Meridor, Dan Tisham, all of them say they don't like the way that Benjamin
Netanyahu is taking the party or the country. Have you worried or are you worried that they may be right?
KISCH: Not at all. Maybe I wasn't clear enough. The voters are not tired from the Likud. As I said before, we have the majority. We know that we
have the people with us. We have the majority in any aspect that you check. They are tired from going to vote. That's the problem. We are
fighting to increase the voting rate. That's the major problem. We do not have problems with majority. There will always be people who we think
might be different but we see strong support to Netanyahu, to his policies, to the Likud. The problem is going to vote.
ANDERSON: OK. I want to ask you about another problem that people say has come up, and that is the problem of racism. A Likud campaign message on
Facebook describing Arabs as wanting to annihilate us all, whether or not that was approved by the Prime Minister, and by all accounts it looks like
it wasn't. Does the party have an issue with racism? I mean that sort of language is unacceptable, isn't it?
KISCH: That was a mistake and the Prime Minister said it very clear that that was a mistake of one of the minor workers in the campaign, but we did
hear Ayman Odeh, the Arab Knesset member speaking to the Palestinian TV saying that he sees it as a strategic target to get rid of Benjamin
Netanyahu.
[11:35:00]
Because Benjamin Netanyahu has such a strong influence on international policies, of creating amazing moves towards Israel from the U.S., from
other major countries. So if you look and see specific to the case you're talking was announced as a mistake and was taken off one of the minor
employees. But the Arab party see it as a strategic target to get the Likud and Benjamin Netanyahu out of power.
ANDERSON: We are talking a response to allegations of racism in Likud. Sir, we thank you very much indeed for joining us.
I'm going to be right back after this very short break. We are looking ahead to Israeli elections Tuesday. That's after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: You're watching CNN, this is CONNECT THE WORLD with me, Becky Anderson. We are live for you in Jerusalem for you this hour as we
continue to look ahead to Tuesday's Israeli election.
Joining me now is correspondent Oren Liebermann. You have 90 seconds. Give it your best shot. What should our viewers be aware of going into --
going into this election Tuesday?
OREN LIEBERMANN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: One of the big things to look out for is voter turnout. Who gets their voters to turn out and how does that play
out across the spectrum. We've talked to political analysts who've said, look, a tight race generally gets voters excited, it gets voters to turn
out. But there is an element of voter fatigue here and that turnout or lack thereof could really affect the elections.
One of the two big numbers we want to see from the exit polls and from the actual results, who has the bigger party. Let's remember how close they
were in April. A million votes each separated by only 14,500 votes. That's a fraction of a percent. And then of course, does either of these
leaders have a clear path to forming a coalition.
So far, every single one of the polls without exception since elections were called at the ending of May, has said no. Has that shifted since the
election polls just a few days ago? We're about to find out very quickly here. I would say the only thing I'm somewhat certain about is that the
results will be different than the election polls. How difference, in which direction, not a clear.
ANDERSON: You're fudging it. I have asked you what we should be watching out for, what we should be aware of. What about who? Who are the
important faces in this election?
LIEBERMANN: Other than of course, Netanyahu and Gantz, the one guy who could be the king maker -- and all polls have suggested he will be the king
maker -- is the former defense minister, Avigdor Lieberman. He refused to join Netanyahu's government. He in fact, left it last November saying
Netanyahu was too soft on terror -- referring to Hamas -- and caved too much to the ultra-orthodox. And that has been his stance. It has done
well for him. He was polling better earlier in the campaign. But he is still polling above his five seats and he may have the power to win.
ANDERSON: I promised you 90 seconds but you're too good at this, so I'm going to keep you with me just for another 90 sentence.
[11:40:00]
Reminding us who Lieberman is.
LIEBERMANN: He is of Soviet descent. He's from Moldova. He has had a political party for many years and then he worked his way up to be
Netanyahu's defense minister over the course of the past couple of years. He is right-wing and secular. Although he is a settlor. He lives in an
isolated settlement in the West Bank but he has drawn his line as standing up for the right-wing and the secular and that's done well for him. And
that is why he may pose a challenge to Netanyahu and maybe a key part of anybody's plans come the day after the elections.
ANDERSON: If there's been any key moment in this campaign, what do you think it might be? Or maybe I should roll back on that. Any odd moments?
LIEBERMANN: There have been a few. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud Party has put out some interesting ads. It appears trying to
influence and get to all different sectors of society. They even put out a pop song trying to tell younger voters to vote Likud. Netanyahu put on an
ad where he was a lifeguard and he told everyone if you want to be safe, go to the right, go to the right.
So there have been sort of these lighter, more tongue in cheek moments to try to engage voters. Because again, there is a serious concern I think
across the spectrum that voters are tired of this. They don't want to be dragged to another election so everyone has tried something to re-energize
this in the last days.
ANDERSON: Voter fatigue, tired, we get that. But this is an important election, isn't it, not just for Israel but this region and the entire
world. Let's remember that.
LIEBERMANN: It very much is. First, let's remember from the U.S. perspective, Netanyahu is basically Trump's best friend overseas. And
he'll be watching closely what happens here. In terms of political promises that Netanyahu has made that could truly shift what's happening in
the region from annexation to some of the other promises he's made. These are big promises. Is he going to carry them out? Election promises aren't
always meant to be carried out. But certainly if he does, they're game- changers here.
ANDERSON: Oren Liebermann in the house. We've got Sam Kiley in Tel Aviv. The chaps will both be there at party headquarters is where they are at
tomorrow night. Please do join us all day Tuesday for CNN's special coverage as we look at these Israeli elections at 10:00 p.m. Jerusalem
time, 3:00 p.m. London, that is when we'll start getting results. We'll be here bringing you the very latest as voting ends and exit polls are
released.
I'm Becky Anderson. That was CONNECT THE WORLD live from Jerusalem. A view of the Western Wall as the sun sets over the old city. Thank you for
watching.
[11:45:00]
(WORLD SPORT)
END
