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Israelis Voting in Tight Election; Netanyahu in Tight Race Against Gantz; Netanyahu Vows to Annex Parts of the West Bank If Reelected; Democratic Union Candidate Wants to Take down Netanyahu; Interview with Mohammad Darawshe, Givat Haviva Education Center, Arab voter Turnout in the Election; High Probability Strikes Launched From Iranian Base; Iran has Denied Responsibility for Attacks; Netanyahu-Trump Relationship in Spotlight as Israel Goes to the Polls; Interview with Dan Shapiro, Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Trump's Interest in Mutual Defense Treaty with Israel. Aired 11a-12p ET
Aired September 17, 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]
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's silly. It's really silly.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We need something new. We need change in Israel.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a waste of time. And of course a waste of money.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Tonight we think we're going to finish.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST: Well the rising sun painting Jerusalem with fresh light anew. But today, doing so over one like no other as millions
of Israelis vote on the fundamental shape of their country. The ancient walls of Jaffa Gate behind me fading in the sunset right now. Witnessed to
the many leaders who have come and gone. That is why this hour from here, we are kicking off CNN's special coverage of the Israeli elections.
It is 6:00 p.m. here. I'm Becky Anderson. Thank you for joining us on this show.
The question this hour, is this a new dawn for Israeli politics? A chance for real change, or will the political deadlock between these two men
continue? One a born survivor who molded modern Israel, dominating the political scene for over a decade. Now fighting for survival.
The other, a military man on a mission to dethrone the one who has come to be known as King Bibi. All indications point to an extremely tight race.
We are four hours away from the close of the polls.
We've got correspondents on the ground for you following the race from each and every side. Oren Liebermann is at the headquarters of Benjamin
Netanyahu's Likud Party in Tel Aviv. And Sam Kiley at the headquarters of the opposing Blue-and-White party led by Benny Gantz. Let's start with
you, Oren. He called this snap election after failing to form a governing coalition in the wake of an election back in April. What is Benjamin
Netanyahu promising this time around? And what or who worries him?
OREN LIEBERMANN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made a number of campaign promises in the last days before the election.
Including annexing parts of the West Bank. Pursuing a mutual defense pact with the U.S. All in an attempt to appeal to a pro-Trump right-wing voter
base as he moves in that direction and makes those promises. First, laying out a strategy for after the elections but also keeping the agenda exactly
where he wants it and away from the corruption probes he faces.
His strategy in the closing hours of campaigning is one that's worked for him before. He is out there warning his voters that they're losing and
that right now they're losing to his opponent, to the left's parties and the Arab parties. In fact, he was just in the Mahane Yehuda market in
Jerusalem a short time ago. Not all that far from where you are, Becky, asking his voters with a megaphone what are you doing here? Go out and
vote, go out and vote.
What's interesting is that his rival, Benny Gantz, is basically taking the same strategy. Warning his voters that they're behind and they need to go
vote. And we're seeing that from some of the smaller parties as well in what's known in Hebrew as a "oy gevalt" campaign, a panic campaign to try
to energize the voter base by putting the fear of losing into them. What is Netanyahu banking on? His foreign policy record, the humming economy
Israel and loyalty from many of Israel's voters. Listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ILANA CASPI, LIKUD VOTER: I voted for Bibi Netanyahu because I think he's the great leader in the world. One of the greatest leaders in the world.
And we cannot change him. We cannot let the Israeli country be weak and he's a great leader. And second thing, the situation in Israel,
economically is one of the best in the last ten years.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LIEBERMANN: And there you hear about the economy and that loyalty that many voters have to him. In that case, why are we back here again? That's
because his former defensive minister, Avigdor Lieberman, who has planted his flag as a secular right-wing leader. He refused to join a government
with Netanyahu because he said he was giving too much to the ultra-orthodox parties and that is where he has stood. And at least according to all the
election polls until this point, it has done well for him. And if the results play out -- as according to the election polls -- it could be
Lieberman who is the kingmaker in these elections -- Becky.
ANDERSON: That's the story from HQ and Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party. Sam, how different is Benny Gantz's pitch then?
SAM KILEY, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: That is part of his problem, Becky. Benny Gantz's pitch from the Blue and White party has a
lot of its roots in the old school Likud if you like. Now that could be something of a benefit, but it does mean they're trying to scoop away some
previously loyal voters to the Likud.
[11:05:00]
And by that, I mean for example, if you take the promise made by Benjamin Netanyahu in the run up to these elections to annex the Jordan Valley, to
annex the Jewish settlement on the West Bank, both of which would effectively do away with the two-state solution. I asked Yair Lapid about
that the other day. He's the co-leader of the Blue and White party. And he said, yes, we'd do the same thing. We'd just do it as a result of
negotiations with the Palestinians.
So there's not a lot of difference necessarily. I think for a lot of voters here -- and we've heard that increasingly on the ground,
particularly in Tel Aviv, a traditionally fairly liberal city, is that there's a real sense of frustration with Benjamin Netanyahu's just the
sheer longevity of his tenure as Prime Minister. And also, of course, the three corruption cases that are hanging over his head. There is a real
sense of frustration, even outrage particularly among the left that if he would get into power, legislate immunity for himself, that would be an
abuse of the constitution. This is just one voice from the other side of the argument from Netanyahu that we heard earlier on today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
YOTAM MISGAV, BLUE AND WHITE VOTER: I've actually been voting Likud since I can vote. And the last elections and these elections I voted for Blue
and White. Not just because of Bibi or no Bibi, just because I'm very dissatisfied with the government. Bibi hasn't been doing anything for a
long time. I just think he's lost his way and he needs to go home.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KILEY: Now there is a real sense -- certainly in the sense of the left here, Becky, that this is a moment in history for Israel, that they face
more of the same, another ten years potentially of Benjamin Netanyahu. Or is this one last chance to try and rescue back the old center left
traditions upon which a lot of this country was built.
ANDERSON: Party headquarters and the messages from both, Oren, Sam, thank you. See you as we progress through the evening.
She's the youngest female lawmakers in Israel's history. A defender of women and LGBTQ rights and is determined to beat Mr. Netanyahu. Stav
Shaffir Was elected to her third time in the Knesset in April with the Labor Party. But now for round two she is running as a Democrat Union
candidate. A party she co-founded with a former Prime Minister, Ehud Barak, who spoke to CNN yesterday. Have a listen to what he had to say.
(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 --
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, Stav Shaffir joins me now live from Tel Aviv. And we just heard Mr. Barak say that you are fighting for the future of Israel with
this new party. What does that future look like to you?
STAV SHAFFIR, DEMOCRATIC UNION KNESSET CANDIDATE: Hi, Becky. It's great to be here with you. We have a very challenging day and probably the most
challenging and important elections that we had in many, many years. This election is about Israeli democracy. As Netanyahu is facing three
corruption cases and he's using every tool in the book, including incitement and racism against half of the voters in Israel trying to make
their voice non-legitimate, using fear as his main manipulation to win this election. We're facing really important elections for Israel. Because
this election is about Israeli democracy and whether we're going to stay a strong democracy as we are now or if Bibi will win, he will do everything
he can in order to avoid trial.
ANDERSON: Israeli democracy at stake you say. Mr. Netanyahu has vowed to annex parts of the West Bank. You told the "Jerusalem Post" last year, and
I quote here. We need to stop building our borders as we see them. Calling Palestinians, quote, enemies. What do you make of Bibi's plans
then to annex the West Bank?
SHAFFIR: You know, it's important to understand that most Israeli citizens are not like Netanyahu. We have -- even after 40 years of mostly right-
wing governments, we have 65 percent of Israelis who support a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians. That's the most safe
solution. It's the most moral solution that we all support.
But Netanyahu at the moment, regardless of what he actually believes and of what our security system reports, the entire Israeli security system is pro
two state solution and a clear border between us and the Palestinians.
[11:10:00]
Netanyahu at the moment will do everything that he can in order to establish, to build a government and escape trial. To pass legislation
that will prevent the justice system and prevent Parliament from putting him in trial and from getting into prison because of his corruption cases.
ANDERSON: We're going to do more on that as we move through this hour. Let me put this to you. You took a big risk leaving Labor. You even had
to quit the Knesset. But you did so because you said the left didn't unite because of egos and we lost. Today one of the papers here suggesting that
while you have boosted the popularity of the Democratic Union alliance, Ehud Barak's unpopularity with Arab Israeli voters could cost you. What's
your response to that?
SHAFFIR: Ehud Barak did some of the most courageous political steps in Israel's history. And the reason that at age 77 he decided to get back
into politics was in order to save Israeli democracy. We united the Democratic Union because after a few rounds of elections, seeing that the
main problem here is that we have a few left-wing parties who always fight against each other instead of uniting and fighting together. In the
Democratic Union, we want to build a party that I'm sure in the future will be Israeli Democratic party with all the different left-wing parties that
has Jewish and Arab representatives, ultra-Orthodox religious, secular --
ANDERSON: All right.
SHAFFIR: All of them sharing the same values.
ANDERSON: I've got to leave it there. So we thank you for joining us. Important points. Stav Shaffir candidate for the Democratic Union party,
joining us from Tel Aviv.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, ISRAEL PRIME MINISTER (through translator): I will not do anything without getting a clear mandate from the public. And so the
citizens of Israel, I ask you for a clear mandate to do this.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well this of course referring to the annexation of the West Bank. A last-minute campaign promise from Mr. Netanyahu. So what do
voters think of this pledge? In particular Arab Israelis who make up one fifth of the population here. Well here with me, a leading expert in
Jewish/Arab relations in Israel, is Mohammad Darawshe. How important is the Arab Israeli vote in this rerun election? And what's the turnout going
to be like? Because it was pretty pitiful in the last one in April.
MOHAMMAD DARAWSHE, GIVAT HAVIVA EDUCATIONAL CENTER: Indeed, last time it was only 49 percent in comparison to almost 68 percent within the Jewish
community. The reports from the last few minutes is that the turnout rate in the Jewish community is about 45, 46 percent. Within the Arab community
it's only 29 percent. There's a gap of about 15 percent to 16 percent. So we're maintaining that gap of lagging behind the turnout of the general
population in Israel.
ANDERSON: And the reason for that last time around was that Arab citizens of Israel were quite frankly sick to death of their own politicians. Is
that the same case this time with what is now a joint list?
DARAWSHE: Correct. So that reason is out. There are other reasons. Now the reason is sick and tired of the politics of Israel, which is very
discriminatory, very delegitimizing, especially the campaign of the Prime Minister against the Arab community. Until now he's succeeding to oppress
the turnout in the Arab community. To make the Arab citizens extremely T sick and tired of this unfair scene where -- and we're trying to turn this
around.
I mean, many of the Arab leaders within the Arab community are saying you need to go vote to actually try to get this Prime Minister who is provoking
against you, who is making racist statements to legitimize your political parties participation, against you, this is the time to go out and vote.
So that the turnout in the Arab community I think can be critical. If the Arab citizens maximize their potential, they can send up to 16, 17 seats in
the Knesset.
ANDERSON: Which would mean what? Because as we must remind ourselves, the two leading parties, however many seats they get, they will not get a
majority.
DARAWSHE: They will need a coalition.
ANDERSON: They need a coalition. Where would the joint list stand? Just remind us. They've only once been in coalition.
DARAWSHE: And there probably will not be in the next coalition. But what they can be, they can be a safety net for a future coalition, as did happen
in the past. The Arab parties did provide the safety net for the Rabin government who ruled for four years with that -- for three years until he
was assassinated. And then Shimon Peres continued with that government. So they can provide a safety net to guarantee the 61-seat majority in the
Knesset against the right-wing government. And that's the real gain. The real gain can with Benny Gantz together with Meretz and Labor party, and
the Arab List can they get enough seats to become 61 seats out of 120 seats in the Knesset.
[11:15:00]
And that is possible as a result of two things only. One, the high turnout rate within what we call Tel Aviv state, the city of Tel Aviv and the
surrounding. Which is a more liberal Jewish population and the high turnout rate in the Arab community which does subscribe to the center left
bloc.
ANDERSON: Let's take a listen to what one Israeli Arab voter told CNN very briefly.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): We have to vote for the Arab Joint List even if we feel it won't affect the Knesset. At least we can fight
for our rights, rights no one else will ask for.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Do Arab Israelis feel powerless?
DARAWSHE: Not that much anymore. In general the marginalization that happened in the last ten years under the right-wing government is making
our citizens less effective in Israeli politics. But at the same time there's some kind of a new buildup and buildup capacity. But the real
power of the Arab community can happen only under a center left government. Under a right-wing government, the Arab citizens are powerless, our
politicians are powerless. Affecting two things. One, their own life, the quality of life within the Arab community. What we call social economic
agenda. But also the regional conflicts. The Israeli/Palestinian negotiations without a center left government, the Arab citizens are
powerless.
Mohammad, always a pleasure having you on. Thank you very much, indeed for joining us.
DARAWSHE: Thank you.
ANDERSON: Israel's longest serving Prime Minister, but tonight that could end. How much do you know about Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu? Head to
CNN.com/connect where we break down his legacy for you. You can also connect with all of our latest interviews about the Israeli elections.
That is CNN.com/connect.
Israel's elections come just days after the Saudi Arabia oil attack, boiling already high tensions in what is this, the Middle East. I'll tell
you who the U.S. is suggesting is behind that attack after this. We are live from the region. Up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Welcome back to a special edition of CONNECT THE WORLD. I'm Becky Anderson in Jerusalem, where it's just before 6:20 in the evening.
This week, we are bringing you special editions of CONNECT THE WORLD live from the holy city.
The Israeli Prime Minister speaking out on growing violence in the Middle East. As citizens cast their ballots in the second-high stakes election in
just five months. Benjamin Netanyahu answered a question by saying that Israel is well-prepared should any provocation come from Iran.
[11:20:00]
Now this comes after the U.S. President said it looks like Tehran is behind this weekend's attacks on Saudi Arabia's oil suppliers. A source familiar
with the investigation tells CNN U.S. and Saudi investigators have determined there is a very high probability that the strikes were carried
out by low altitude cruise missiles, likely launched from an Iranian base.
However, no evidence of those claims has been made public as of yet. And we have just learned from a U.S. source that Saudi officials have recovered
fully intact circuit boards from one of the weapons. Let's get the latest from the region. CNN's Nic Robertson joining us from Saudi Arabia, and our
Nick Paton Walsh is live in Iran. Let's start with you in Riyadh, Nic, and what is this latest that have from Saudi officials and what are their
options at this point?
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Yes, Becky. Saudi officials are saying that the weapons systems were made in Iran. That they
continue to investigate where those weapons systems were fired from. They say they weren't fired from Yemen. What the source with knowledge of the
investigation says is that some of the weapons systems that were fired at the Saudi oil facility fell short, landed in the desert north of the oil
facility and weren't fully damaged. And this seems to have led to the recovery of parts of those weapons systems, including those circuit boards.
Just to give our viewers a little bit of context here. Along with my CNN team, early last year, Saudi authorities showed us cruise missiles fired by
Houthis from Yemen, again, these missiles today not fired from Yemen. But the Saudis showed us -- we were the first journalists to be shown these
cruise missiles -- that they said were constructed and were made in part in Iran using Iranian technology. And they pointed to the circuit boards and
they were examining the circuit boards, they were examining the components on those circuit boards. And they then sent on that equipment to the U.N.
and the U.N. determined indeed that as the Saudi's had alleged this was manufactured -- believed to be manufactured in Iran.
The situation we're at here, the Saudis again, along with the U.S. investigators, a joint effort here on the ground, are looking at circuit
boards and components within these only partially damaged missile systems. They'll be able to look at the rocket motors themselves. That will help
them determine what range these weapons systems had. But I think key here is this high probability determination that these weapons systems were
fired, launched from Iran, close to the border with Iraq, over Iran, over Kuwait, avoiding extensive radar systems, focused out into the Persian Gulf
and approach these oil facilities over the desert -- Becky.
ANDERSON: Right. Nick Paton Walsh, the drumbeat to hold Iran responsible then for the attacks does seem to be getting louder. What's the
calculation in Tehran?
NICK PATON WALSH, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: At this stage, we have not really had an up to date response today from the increasing detailed
allegations. I have to say ones that are not accompanied with public evidence to back them up, that missiles were in fact launched from Iran. I
should point out there's a huge difference between Iranian made, which is large number of anti-Western missiles in this region verses launched from
Iranian territory. Which seems to be one supposition.
But all along since Mike Pompeo, the U.S. Secretary of State, early on Saturday said in two tweets that Iran was responsible, Iran has denied
that. The foreign minister, Javid Zarif, saying they've gone to the U.S. for maximum pressure, retching up sanctions to maximum deceit.
And even last night, President Hassan Rouhani of Iran repeating the initial idea the Iranians had. That this was in fact the Yemeni Houthi rebels who
themselves say they fired 10 drones at those Saudi oil refineries. They would have to have traveled across hundreds of miles of Saudi air defenses
to get there.
Iran though has taken a different tack today in a lengthy speech, the most authoritative voice here. It's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has
come forward and answered one of the abiding questions about what may happen next here. Some thinking that perhaps U.S. posturing is essentially
a negotiating tactic to get Iran to the table.
The Ayatollah Khamenei has said fairly clearly that there will be no negotiation with the United States at any level. He goes on to say because
Donald Trump has, the U.S. President, vacillated between whether he has preconditions or no conditions for talks. His officials occasionally
contradicting him. The Ayatollah goes on to say, sometimes they -- Trump officials -- say negotiation without preconditions, sometimes they say with
12 conditions. Such remarks are either due to their turbulent politics or a trip to confuse others.
He says the Iranian government is unanimous and he holds out the kind of unlikely, perhaps humiliating for Trump -- certainly the idea of that if
Trump apologized, withdrew his remarks and returned to the nuclear deal they might allow America back into the multilateral talks.
[11:25:00]
But Iranian officials waiting for the evidence, waiting for basically details to explain how U.S. and Saudi officials have got to this
conclusion. A tense region, though definitely -- Becky.
ANDERSON: OK, Nick Paton Walsh, absolutely in Tehran for you. Nic Robertson is in Riyadh. We've just heard from a White House spokesperson.
The White House can't say definitively that Iran was behind an attack on an oil facility in Saudi Arabia and is still in the process of making the case
to the American people. The latest from Washington.
Our coverage of the Israeli election continues in a moment. We'll be looking at the role that Donald Trump is playing in Israeli politics. A
conversation with the former U.S. ambassador to Israel when CONNECT THE WORLD returns. Do stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
YONI GREEN BLUE AND WHITE VOTER: I asked some people here, why are they voting Likud? And the like, oh, because we have strong relations with the
U.S. and Trump. And only Bibi can do that. And I'm like, do what? Like, Trump isn't helping Israel. I don't think he's of any important to what's
happening in Israel. But he's affecting the elections in the wrong way because he's making the right stronger here.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: You're watching CNN. This is CONNECT THE WORLD with me Becky Anderson. We are live in Jerusalem for you this hour. Welcome back.
As you just heard one of Benjamin Netanyahu's strongest arguments in the Israeli election campaign is his relationship with the United States,
specifically his close ties to Donald Trump. Huge billboards and banners can be seen all over Israel touting the Trump Netanyahu alliance. Donald
Trump has been very popular in Israel, since announcing he would move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem two years ago.
Joining me now is Dan Shapiro who was U.S. ambassador to Israel under Barack Obama. He is a visiting fellow at Tel Aviv University's Institute
for National Security Studies. This is a Prime Minister who is a fan of being in the limelight, on the international stage, and he's enjoyed his
relationship with the Trump administration. How much good has it done him?
DAN SHAPIRO, FORMER U.S. AMBASSADOR TO ISRAEL: Well it certainly plays on one of his strengths, which is that he is a known figure internationally.
He has relationships not just with President Trump, but with President Putin of Russia, with President Modi of India, with other world leaders.
And he argues to the Israeli people that nobody else would be able to get as much out of Israel's international relationships.
[11:30:00]
How much it really affects the voters though is an interesting question. It's in some ways factored into what Israel's international expect of their
Prime Minister. President Trump made significant efforts to help Prime Minister Netanyahu before the election in April. He recognized Israel's
sovereignty of the Golan Heights. Days before the election he sent Secretary of State here days before the election. And it's not clear that
it had much of an impact.
SHAPIRO Those were seen as gifts right from the Trump administration. The only way Donald Trump may have impacted the Israeli election this time
around -- may have -- was a tweet the U.S. President sent out of course a couple of days ago. In it, Mr. Trump said he had spoken with the Israeli
Prime Minister about a mutual defense treaty between the two countries. How does that kind of suggestion, help Netanyahu? And actually was this
really an offer at all? Is there any substance to this?
SHAPIRO: It wasn't serious. You know, Israel and the United States have looked at this question many times over the past 25 years of whether or not
a formal defense alliance would be helpful. Already, with we have a very close security partnership, Israel receives a great deal of American
assistance and weaponry. And it's known of course that the United States might feel it is implicated in actions Israel takes if we were actually
formal treaty alliances. So, to throw that out in a tweet on the last weekend before an election doesn't look very serious to me.
ANDERSON: Dan, as far as we understand, turnout is around the same as it was in the April election. Which would have the Israeli/Jewish vote at
around sort of 60, 65 percent or so and the Arab Israeli vote slightly lower than that. That's what we know today. We've got four and a half
hours before the close of polls. It is not clear -- this is too close to call at this point. And it's not clear whether Benjamin Netanyahu will go
into further decade in Israeli politics. What would the end of his era mean for the prospect of peace for the Palestinians?
SHAPIRO: Well it would very much depend on who succeeds him. You know, there's a scenario in which he doesn't succeed but he is pushed aside by a
member of his own party. And it still a very right-leaning policy. Most members of Likud party no longer support the two-state solution and are
openly in favor now of annexing portions of the West Bank.
ANDERSON: Benny Gantz's party doesn't seem to have that much in different position. Does he?
SHAPIRO: The Blue and White party is a diverse party. It has people far to the center left and people much closer to the Likud policy. And Gantz
himself is probably somewhere in the middle. At least in that case, you wouldn't have, I think the push to annex parts of the West Bank. That they
have recognized poses a serious threat to Israel's Jewish and democratic character. And so, at least it would leave a door open that some in the
current government are trying to close.
ANDERSON: We have to consider that this could be the end of a decade-long era as Prime Minister for Benjamin Netanyahu. A lot longer than that in
Israeli politics. If this was it, what would that mean for Israel's relationships with the U.S. going forward, do you think? It's been a
particularly special relationship this one, hasn't it, between Netanyahu and Trump?
SHAPIRO: It's a very close relationship. And Netanyahu has both during the Trump administration and during the previous administrations, the Obama
and the Clinton administrations, felt that he has a certain mastery of American politics. Of course, he lived in the United States when he was a
young person. He speaks flawless English. He's never hesitated to use his skills to try to manipulate American politics on Capitol Hill, in the
American media and at times going even against an American President as he did President Obama when he spoke in the Congress. Or forming this
extremely exaggerating sense of alliance as he has with President Trump.
What I hope it would mean, whoever is the Israeli Prime Minister is, a return to the kind of bipartisanship that has traditionally characterized
U.S./Israel relations. Where leaders of both countries get along but they don't alienate the leaders of the opposition at the same time.
ANDERSON: Dan, pleasure having you on, sir.
SHAPIRO: Good to be with you.
ANDERSON: Thank you very much indeed. Dan Shapiro, U.S. ambassador to Israel under Barack Obama. A visiting fellow at Tel Aviv's University for
National Security Studies. Thank you, sir. We'll be back live in Jerusalem right after this. \
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:35:00]
ANDERSON: Just over three hours until polls close here in Israel. And we are on the ground connecting you to the people casting their vote. What
matters most? They want to see change. Here's what some voters told me earlier.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: This is first station, the old railway station that served the Jaffa to Jerusalem line. Now a thriving hub of entertainment and
restaurants and a great place to get a steer from voters as to what they care about most in these elections.
What matters most to you here today?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Security. Absolutely. Just being able to make sure that everyone -- that there's limited to know terror.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Safety. You know, before we just had to worry about ourselves, now we have two little kids running around. We want to make
sure when we send them to school things are good.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We really need a change. And I'm hoping that they'll deal with a lot of the social issues that sometimes get ignored.
[11:40:00]
They get ignored here because there's a lot of emphasis on defense. There has to be. But in my opinion, we need a change.
ANDERSON: Last time out the kingmaker, Avigdor Lieberman, wanting to roll back religion from government and society. How do you feel about that?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So I can tell you having it joint and having it separate is both a blessing and a curse. And everybody should be able to
live in a way that's comfortable for them.
ANDERSON: Is it time that religion were rolled back from government in society here in Israel?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm a religious person who very much wants there to be a separation of religion and state. So I couldn't agree more.
ANDERSON: Let's see what these chaps here have to say. Mind if I pull up a chair? Is this a referendum about Benjamin Netanyahu once again?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sure. That's what I want. That's what I voted for.
ANDERSON: Why?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Why? Because everything's OK. Everything everybody has a good economy.
ANDERSON: How about the charges of bribery and corruption, how do you feel about that?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Allow me to finish. 50 years without corruption that's what they say.
ANDERSON: This is it. A traditional Arab restaurant. It's been highly recommended. Let's find out how the guys working here feel about the
election. How do you vote?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I vote Gantz.
ANDERSON: You vote for Gantz, why?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We need something in Israel, we need something new in Israel. We need change because nothing changes in 20 years. It's all
same. So we need change.
ANDERSON: Tell me, what do you care about most in this election?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): To me all that matters with the elections is safety and peace and that no problems come between us and the
Jewish people. Most importantly it's the outcome that will insure better jobs, incomes and lifestyles.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Well this hour we've been hearing from Arab/Israeli voters. They make up around a fifth of the electorate. And you just heard from
several Jewish voters who make up about 80 percent. The latest numbers put voter turnout across the country today at just under 45 percent with three
hours to go until polls close. That is marginally higher than April's turnout at this time in an election that is simply too close to call.
So as the sun sets on CONNECT THE WORLD, the clock ticks closer to a new dawn in Israel. Whoever takes the country forward, the polls close at
10:00 p.m. tonight. Join me here on CNN as we continue our special coverage from outside the Jaffa Gate. I'm Becky Anderson. That was
CONNECT THE WORLD.
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