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White House Condemns Iran's Attack on Israel; Trump Arrives at Courthouse ahead of Historic Trial; Thousands of Palestinians Tried to Return to their Homes in Northern Gaza on Sunday; Jury Selection in Trump's Historic Criminal Trial; Fears Israeli Retaliation could Fuel Spiral of Violence. Aired 9-10a ET
Aired April 15, 2024 - 09:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[09:00:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST, CONNECT THE WORLD: Well, it's 5 pm here in Abu Dhabi. I'm Becky Anderson. You're watching a special edition of "Connect
the World".
ERICA HILL, CNN HOST: And it is 9 am here in New York. I'm Erica Hill. We are following two major stories for you on this Monday. A history making
trial set to begin this hour in New York Donald Trump will become the first Former U.S. President ever to face a criminal trial.
ANDERSON: And Israel's war cabinet is considering just how to respond to an unprecedented attack from Iran, while governments in the region worry about
a growing conflict.
HILL: And Becky will have extensive coverage of Iran's attack on Israel in just a moment, but first a preview for you of this history making trial
which starts in the next hour here in New York City. I'm just outside of the courthouse where Donald Trump is now making his way to the venue.
He will become the first Former U.S. President to stand trial on criminal charges. He is as I mentioned en route to the courthouse, his motorcade
leaving just about 20 minutes ago. He's charged with falsifying business records to cover up hush money payments for adult film star Stormy Daniels
ahead of the 2016 presidential election.
First up today is jury selection which could take anywhere from one to two weeks. The entire trial itself could last as long as eight weeks.
Throughout the day here on CNN our reporters, analysts and guests will follow the developments inside court where their presumptive Republican
presidential nominee will be sitting -- the week, Becky.
ANDERSON: When and how will Israel respond to Iran's unprecedented weekend attack? The war cabinet -- meeting for a second day to try to agree on a
plan this is world leaders scramble to try to keep the conflict from turning into all-out war and emergencies Security Council session U.N.
Security General Antonio Guterres urged Israel to exercise maximum restraint.
Israel is weighing its next step after Iran attacked with hundreds of drones and missiles late on Saturday. The Israeli military says almost all
of them were intercepted. Iran says the attack was a quote legitimate response after a deadly strike on its consulate in Syria, Tehran blames
that on Israel.
And also -- now telling CNN that Israel is delaying the first steps of its ground operation in the Southern Gaza City of Rafah meanwhile, while it
considers how to respond to Iran -- Chief International Correspondent Clarissa Ward is live from Tel Aviv.
And there are those around the region including the Jordanian Foreign Minister, who I spoke to earlier, who believe that Benjamin Netanyahu is to
a degree and using this Iranian strike to distract from what is they say, ultimately, the most important issue here and that is finding a resolution
in Gaza.
Look, Clarissa, the U.S. President has conceded that this is a sovereign decision making process that the Israelis have now, deciding how they will
respond. But they are being urged not least by Joe Biden, to exercise restraint. What are we hearing from our sources on the ground about what is
likely to happen next?
CLARISSA WARD, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, it appears, Becky, that there's a concerted debate going on within the war cabinet and
within the government more broadly about how Israel should respond to Iran's unprecedented attack. The war cabinet has been meeting for just over
two hours now, today. They met for several hours yesterday.
We heard from centrist War Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz yesterday who talked about the importance of building a regional coalition and taking
some time potentially or taking the time of their own, choosing to respond. But then there are also indications of course that Israel doesn't want to
lose the momentum that they have at the moment.
And they don't want to lose the sort of relatively newfound goodwill that they are enjoying from their allies at the moment. The question becomes, to
what extent do they also heed the caution that is being urged by the U.S., the U.K. most of Israel's allies in the West but also regional allies who
are really saying please do not escalate this, do not run the risk of this turning out into an all-out regional conflagration.
[09:05:00]
So potentially they could be looking at some kind of reciprocal strike that would hit military facilities. Potentially they could be looking at some
kind of an asymmetrical retaliation. They could be looking at a cyber- attack of some sort. We don't know exactly. And it is important that although the U.S. President Joe Biden, who has a very close relationship
with Israel has urged caution.
You're also hearing voices from within the right wing hardline elements of Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition like the National Security Minister Itamar
Ben-Gvir, who yesterday called Benny Gantz's comments about forming a regional coalition is hollow western catchphrases and said there needs to
be a decisive strike.
You need to reestablish the deterrence. So a lot of different factors and considerations and voices, that Israel is sort of balancing out and trying
to sift through, as it decides on a course of action. And meanwhile, Becky, as you can imagine that as you know, yourself, where you are, the entire
region, really on tenterhooks bracing to see where exactly this goes next.
ANDERSON: One of the real concerns that this region has, is this conflict spreads to Israel's northern front? It is already a complicated, and an
area that is already in play, as it were. Will that be, as you understand it, part of the consideration about what this response from Israel looks
like that Hezbollah, the Iran backed proxy group in Southern Lebanon, could be a significant target for Tel Aviv if they choose to take that route.
WARD: The Israelis have been making a point for a long time now that the situation as they view it, along that northern border, Becky is
unsustainable. 100,000 Israelis unable to return to their homes, there have been back and forth day in and day out rocket fire coming in from Hezbollah
regularly.
So that is absolutely a primary consideration. At the same time, Hezbollah has a lot of weaponry, including some weapons that it has not yet used in
this conflict. And so I think there'll be balancing out the considerations of trying to hit an Iranian proxy like Hezbollah hard with, again, the
voices and caution being urged of so many on the international stage. That one does not want to see this conflict escalate to a place where it really
is no longer in the control of anyone in terms of where it goes.
So I think they're also balancing out that this is a moment where Israel is enjoying that newfound relative goodwill, where the world's attention has
been deflected away from Gaza, where the world's attention is really focused on Israel versus Iran, the international community versus Iran, how
to respond to that. And so it's possible that they will want to try to capitalize on this moment and use it for their own maximum benefit, Becky.
ANDERSON: There is, of course, little love lost between number of Gulf States and the militant group Hezbollah, Iran backed group in Southern
Lebanon. But as you are rightly pointing out the escalation in this conflict is what is of profound concern around this region. Clarissa,
always a pleasure you are in Tel Aviv for us today. Thank you.
Well, as I said earlier this morning, I spoke with one of the key players in this region Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi in a wide ranging
interview we spoke about his nation's fears for what could happen next. He put the onus squarely on Israel not to escalate hostilities any further.
AYMAN SAFADI, JORDANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER: I think what happened was a sign of how terrible things could be how dangerous the situation could
deteriorate into unless we deal with the cause of all this tension, which is the Israeli aggression on Gaza and the continued absence of political
horizons to solve the conflict as a result of Israeli policies.
Again, Iran retaliated against the attack. See that it's over. Now, we have to look to the future and to look for now, actually, and to make sure that
there's no other triggers for escalation and I think the onus is on Israel for that.
ANDERSON: Foreign Minister, Jordan, let's be quite frank here is trying to balance what is a very delicate position, maintaining relations, of course
with the United States, but also with Israel you have a peace treaty with Israel.
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With what is your highly critical position of the way that Israel has carried out its war against Hamas in Gaza, and many in Jordan want to see
the kingdom do more? And that includes calls for cutting ties with Israel, will that happen?
SAFADI: Becky it will not happen simply because we don't believe that will be helpful to Jordan or to the Palestinians or to the cause of peace, which
is a necessity for all of us in the region. That said, however, getting what Israel is doing, giving its killing of political horizons, getting the
aggression on Gaza.
That peace treaty is a document are collecting dust, because we will not be able to act on many of the opportunities that this treaty should offer to
us to the Palestinians to the whole region. Public opinion as you said is extremely against any kind of normalization with Israel.
Now and again, this is Netanyahu's are doing not since October 7, but long before October 7, when he publicly said he doesn't believe in a two state
solution on a public is said he will suffocate the aspirations of Palestinians for freedom when he continued with settlement building
confiscation of land security attacks on Palestinian communities, allowing settler terrorism against Palestinians. This is the reality.
ANDERSON: And more of that interview later in the show. Well, the White House says Joe Biden strongly condemned Israel's attack on Israel during a
call with Jordan's King Abdullah on Sunday. G7 members have also condemned the assault expressing full solidarity and support to Israel after virtual
crisis talks yesterday.
The U.S. President says the G7 will work together to stabilize the situation in the Middle East. This is what he wants to see a united
diplomatic front when it comes after President Biden told Israel's Prime Minister, that the U.S. would not participate in any potential offensive
action against Iran.
Arlette Saenz is following reaction from the White House. And I have to say, and those I speak to around the region about that comment, say what is
offensive versus defensive. At this point when the Iranian attack was a retaliatory attack, they say in response to an Israeli attack on their
consulate in Syria, be that as it may. What are you hearing now from the White House of importance?
ARLETTE SAENZ, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Becky, the White House this morning is stressing that President Biden's top priority at this point
is really trying to prevent this from escalating into a wider regional conflicts. That is why President Biden took time over the weekend to speak
with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the phone in the hours after this attack unfolded.
And in that conversation, officials say that the president told Netanyahu that he should view the fact that they intercepted hundreds of drones and
missiles with the assistance of the U.S. and other allies as a success. But the president in that phone call also said that going forward the U.S.
would not participate in any counter strikes or offensive operation against Iran.
That is critical at a time when the president is trying to prevent this from spreading into a wider conflict. Now, a U.S. official senior
administration official said that Israel had made clear to the U.S. that they did not want to have a significant escalation between Israel and Iran.
But the question is whether Netanyahu will heed any of President Biden's advice.
One senior administration official said that in their phone call, the president told Netanyahu to think through what those next steps will be.
Officials here at the White House have been stressing that any decision will be up to the Israeli war cabinet, as you've talked about, they're
still meeting assessing what the next steps will be.
But as the White House spokesperson, John Kirby said this morning, they're reviewing this initial operation to prevent any significant damage by the
Iranians that this attack is a success. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN KIRBY, SPOKESMAN OF U.S. NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL: President believes that what happened Saturday night was an extraordinary military success,
and that it proved Israel is not alone. And it proved that Israel has a military superiority can be proud of and that they ought to think about
what that success is the message that that sends to Iran into the region itself.
He's also been very clear, Kate, that we don't want a war with Iran. We don't seek to widen and broaden this conflict. We don't want to see things
escalate.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SAENZ: Now, President Biden yesterday also spoke with King Abdullah of Jordan as well as attended a virtual meeting with fellow G7 leaders, in
that meeting in the statement that was released afterwards, the G7 leaders condemned this attack and also warned that Iran's actions are further
potentially destabilizing the region and risks provoking a quote uncontrollable regional escalation.
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They said this must be avoided. So President Biden's main mission right now is trying to work those diplomatic channels to try to prevent this from
escalating into a wider conflict. The President and his officials here at the White House continue to stress that the U.S. will be there to defend
Israel if there are any future attacks.
But in that phone call, the President communicated that the U.S. would not be participating in any counter strikes. Now I'll also note, in just a few
hours, we will see President Biden for the first time since Iran's attack on Israel over the weekend. He will be meeting here at the White House with
Iraqi Prime Minister Al Sudani.
Of course, the meeting comes as there are heightened tensions in the region. But there are also significant concerns about U.S. troops in the
region. There are about 2500 U.S. troops currently stationed in Iraq. So that certainly will be something that President Biden and the Iraqi Prime
Minister will discuss in this meeting, as they are both hoping to de- escalate some of the tensions occurring in the Middle East at this time.
ANDERSON: Good to have you thank you. Arlette Saenz out of the White House I was going to say outside the White House in Washington. Well ahead on
"Connect the World", we'll go back to New York where the historic criminal trial of Former U.S. President Donald Trump is about to start.
Trump is now at the courthouse. These are live pictures of the action there as we speak. Erica Hill will bring you the very latest, after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HILL: Donald Trump has just arrived at the courthouse arriving just a few minutes ago. He's of course set to become the first former U.S. president
to stand trial on criminal charges. Trump is facing 34 counts of falsifying business records. Those felony counts are tied to a hush money payment that
went to adult film star Stormy Daniels.
Leading up to the trial, Trump has repeatedly bashed the prosecutor and the judge. In fact, just this morning, he posted again another barrage of
complaints on his truth social media calling the trial -- CNN's Katelyn Polantz is joining me now with more on what we can expect once this trial
begins? Step one here is going to be jury selection, Katelyn.
KATELYN POLANTZ, CNN SENIOR CRIME AND JUSTICE REPORTER: Jury selection indeed, Erica, there's been 500 New Yorkers had been summoned to the
courthouse in Manhattan, to be prospective jurors for Donald Trump, or maybe other cases, depending on what happens throughout the day.
In this case, there's going to be 100 of those people summoned, brought into the courtroom at a time and the judge and the lawyers involved, the
prosecutors Donald Trump's defense lawyers, they're going to work through that pool one by one. So what they need ultimately are 12 people to sit on
this juror plus 6 alternates.
The jurors that are brought into the courtroom, they're going to be questioned. They're going to be given a list of questions, and then there's
going to be some freestyle questioning individually of jurors.
[09:20:00]
They start with 42 questions flushing out whether these people have intrinsic biases or reasons that they just aren't going to be able to serve
on the jury vacations coming up other issues that might arise. One of the things that if a juror says they cannot be fair and impartial toward Former
President Donald Trump at this trial, they're off, they're not going to be seated on this jury.
But if they say that they've been engaged in politics in the past, even potentially, in right wing or left wing fringe groups, attended rallies,
things like that, that is something that will allow prosecutors and the defense team to ask further questions, and then make a determination
whether they want that person to sit on the jury.
So it's going to be a process. And in addition to jury selection, Erica, there's also going to be a lot of discussion between the prosecutors and
the defense with the judge individually. We're already hearing a little bit from our Paula Reid in New York, that there is going to be some discussion
with the judge about what happens if Donald Trump were to take the stand to testify.
HILL: That would be quite the conversation with a fly on the wall for that one as we wait and watch for all of it. Katelyn, appreciate it. Let's dig
into a little bit more of what you can expect.
Joining me now, Criminal Defense Attorney, Amy Lee Copeland and CNN Law Enforcement Analyst and Former Secret Service Agent, Jonathan Wackrow, good
to have both of you with us, so in when we pick up, really picking up where Katelyn leaves off, there are a lot of questions about whether Donald Trump
could take the stand.
We are of course, at least a week or two away from this really kicking into high gear because of course that jury needs to be seated. But as
things stand today, can you imagine that happening?
AMY LEE COPELAND, CRIMINAL DEFENSE AND APPELLATE ATTORNEY: Ok, you know, there's a saying among criminal defense attorneys that my client will take
the stand only if you can outrun me. And in this case, we have a former president who has a lot to say, his scripted three minute testimony in the
E. Jean Carroll trial certainly didn't help him.
I can't imagine that it will do much for him here. But of course, he has the absolute constitutional right to testify. His attorneys have to advise
them of the pros and cons. But the decision rests with him. And he's a man who seems to have strong decisions and a strong sense of self. And so we
will simply see what happens with when it comes to that time at the trial.
HILL: There has been so much preparation that has come into this moment. There is of course, the legal side of things. But Jonathan, there's also
the very important security side of this matter. We just saw some live pictures there from the courthouse and we saw a short time ago, the
motorcade making its way downtown from Trump Tower.
The NYPD is used to dealing with major security events. They are used to dealing with the former president when he is in town and coordinating with
the Secret Service. What's different, though this time around, given that we're going to be seeing this play out over six to eight weeks?
JONATHAN WACKROW, CNN LAW ENFORCEMENT ANALYST: Well, good morning, Erica. You know, it's a great question. You know, the U.S. Secret Service put out
a statement saying that they're not going to seek any special accommodations outside what would be normally required for the safety of
the former president.
But we have to put that in the context of Donald Trump in a couple of ways. First, as the most recent president, he has a lot of carryover threats from
his time in office. And I think that goes into the threat calculus that both the Secret Service and the NYPD are putting towards the protective
measures.
Remember, Former Ambassador Bolton and O'Brien, have specific security measures that are around them, because of the Iranian threat that also
applies to the former president. Second, as a presidential candidate, a president, a Former President Trump has a very loyal and dedicated base
that will animate around him.
You know, throughout the eight weeks of this trial, regardless of any circumstances, law enforcement is mindful of his supporters, and are
worried about any type of clashes that could occur for those who may be protesting against them. And then final point, specific to New York, there
are a lot of pro-Palestinian protests that are ongoing.
Those protest groups are continuously trying to seek notable events such as this trial, to disrupt, to amplify their message. So as a former secret
service agent over the course of the next eight weeks, here's what concerns me the time for eight weeks that we're going to have a protect -- that
you're going to know where he starts his day, where he's going to spend a majority of his day and where he ends his day.
That puts a very difficult strain on law enforcement, both the Secret Service and the NYPD to put forth a robust security plan that's constantly
evolving, never complacent, because you know, right now, it is a challenge, but they're not taking anything to chance, as you can see from the images
that we saw with the security plan that's been stood up.
HILL: Yeah, absolutely. And we will we look at this too, from the security of the jurors in terms of that perspective. We know that they will be kept
anonymous for the most part of the attorneys the judge will know their names, but they even the sketch artist in court is not allowed to sketch
them.
[09:25:00]
How much of that concern is being taken into account and what changes if anything in that courtroom from the perspective of security of these
jurors?
COPELAND: You know the juror's security is paramount. These are individual citizens, a total of 18, 12 jurors, 6 alternates that are doing their civic
duty. And I can't imagine that the judge would allow anyone to say anything that would reveal any information about the jurors.
You know, the Secret Service and that NYPD might even have them being meeting at a place off site and carried in through a secret like loading
dock of the courthouse to try to preserve their anonymity. Unfortunately, New York does not allow a fully anonymous juror, they jury they can't go,
you know, jurors 1, 2, 3. But the defense attorneys and the government attorneys will know their names.
HILL: And Jonathan, just to wrap up this point on it, there are the NYPD, as I noted, and the U.S. Secret Service is you know quite well, they work
in concert, often, this city, there are I think some 50,000 cameras around the city. There are special hubs, obviously that have been activated for
the security for these next eight weeks or so.
There's a lot happening though, around the courthouse as well. It's not just about protecting the former president getting him safely from A to B,
getting the jurors safely from A to B, it's all the activity, as you noted, in terms of protests and demonstrations, which also impacts people getting
to their daily lives here in New York City.
WACKROW: Yes -- the NYPD has a challenge ahead of them, because not only do they have to protect the area around the courthouse downtown, they also
have to protect where the president is staying up in Midtown, which is Trump Tower and the entire motorcade route to and from those locations
every single day.
But their primary remit is to maintain civil order across New York City, all of the five boroughs, not only just this matter, so while we see a lot
of resources that are being put towards this trial over the course of the next eight weeks from federal and state in city law enforcement, there is
other priorities that they have to focus on.
So you know, this is a taxing security program that again, as I said, will constantly evolve what you see today may not be what you see in eight
weeks. Why because as this trial gets underway and garners more attention, more resources may need to be applied to the security program. So again,
this is a long haul for law enforcement.
HILL: Jonathan Wackrow and Amy Lee Copeland, appreciate your insight and your expertise. Thank you both. Still to come, we're going to update you on
the very latest from the Middle East with Becky Anderson in Abu Dhabi. Stay tuned. That's just after this break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[09:30:00]
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP (R), FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT AND 2024 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: So this is an outrage that this case was brought. This is political
persecution. This is a persecution like never before. Nobody's ever seen anything like it. And again, it's a case that should have never been
brought. It's an assault on America. And that's why I'm very proud to be here.
This is an assault on our country, as a country that's failing. It's a country that's run by an incompetent man who is very much involved in this
case. This is really an attack on a political opponent. That's all it is. So I'm much honored to be here. Thank you very much.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, that was Donald Trump -- He has arrived at the courthouse ahead of what is this historic criminal trial. The just minutes ahead of
the start of that history making trial, he will of course become the first former U.S. President to stand trial on criminal charges. He arrived at
that courthouse about a half hour ago.
He faces 34 felony counts tied to a hush money payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels. The trial will start with jury selection and we will
follow developments from inside the courthouse throughout the day here on CNN. All right, right now Israel's war cabinet is weighing its options
deciding what it will do after Iran's unprecedented aerial assault this weekend.
It is meeting for a second day after talks yesterday ended with opinions divided on a response. Meantime, in Sunday's emergency session of the
United Nations Security Council, Israel's U.N. Ambassador accused Iran of seeking quote world domination. His Iranian counterpart however, insisting
that Tehran's assault was a proportionate exercise of self-defense.
Right, let's get you straight to Israel. Bring in CNN's Jeremy Diamond is live from Tel Aviv, this war cabinet meeting after no consensus on how to
respond on Sunday. What do we understand is happening now? And what is the atmosphere inside that meeting?
JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Becky, as far as we understand that war cabinet meeting is still very much ongoing. And the key debates
that are being had are about the scope and the timing of an Israeli response, these war cabinet members seem to be united around the idea that
a response is required for such an unprecedented attack that Iran carried out the first of its kind on Israeli soil.
But now the question is how big should this response be? Will it potentially lead to a further escalation of this conflict between Israel
and Iran? Or will it be a more measured response that aims to avoid further escalation? There's also the question of timing. And on that front, I'm
told that Benny Gantz, a member of the war cabinet, who also happens to be Netanyahu's chief political rival.
He has been calling for a swifter response than what we have seen so far. The Israeli Prime Minister, in contrast, has been pumping the brakes so far
on making a decision. And of course, on all of this, there are international pressures with multiple countries pressuring Israel to not
deliver a forceful response to Iran to avoid further inflaming tensions in the region.
And then, of course, there are political considerations as well, with the Israeli Prime Minister coming under pressure from his right flank to
deliver a firm and kind of heavy military response to Iran. So all of this remains to be seen, it's unclear exactly when the war cabinet will make a
decision. But at this hour that war cabinet meeting, the second in two days is still ongoing.
ANDERSON: While we await a decision, let's turn our attention to Gaza. And we're getting word that thousands of Palestinians are trying to return home
to Northern Gaza along what is a perilous route. The IDF tells CNN that the Northern Gaza Strip continues to be an active war zone and returned to the
area is, as I understand it currently not permitted or certainly not encouraged. What more do we know at this point?
[09:35:00]
DIAMOND: Well, we know that yesterday, it appears that hundreds if not thousands of Gazans, mostly women and children tried to make their way up
north to the northern part of the Gaza Strip. Some of them appear to have actually gotten through for the first time in months, but at some point
that access was shut down the Israeli military insisting that it was never even open.
But there's no question that the future of the war in Gaza is also very much tied to these debates about how Israel will respond with regards to
Iran, I'm actually told, Becky, by two Israeli officials, that Israel was setting the stage for its ground defensive in Rafah something it has talked
about for months now, just before this Iranian attack actually came through.
And the Israeli military was actually set to begin dropping leaflets on Rafah today, I'm told in order to urge civilians to begin evacuating north
in anticipation of a major ground offensive in Rafah, effectively the first stages of that ground defensive, but amid this Iranian attack, and as
Israel considers its next steps, in response to that attack.
I'm told that those evacuation notices are not being dropped today that plan has been delayed, and that it's not clear at this point when that
evacuation order for Rafah and that subsequent ground offensive will actually take place.
There's no question that should Israel retaliate in a way that will escalate tensions that will draw considerable military resources and
attention away from Gaza and towards a potential further conflict with Iran. So these two issues the future of the war in Gaza, as well as
Israel's potential response to Iran very much tied together.
ANDERSON: I just want to pick up on what you just suggested in your reporting about a delay to that Rafah offensive. We never had a date
Benjamin Netanyahu said he had a date. But it was never clear when it was? If they had been anticipating dropping leaflets today, in anticipation of
an assault, where did they expect people to evacuate to, if on the same day, they are still warning people not to return to the north because it is
an active war zone and it is not safe?
DIAMOND: Our understanding is that the Israeli military has been working to set up what they've described as humanitarian enclaves, where people from
Rafah, more than a million people who are currently living there, would move to these areas. The Israeli military hasn't really given us many
details about them.
But they would be somewhere either west of Khan Yunis in Southern Gaza, or perhaps further north in central Gaza, but not necessarily moving people
all the way back up to Northern Gaza. We know that the Israeli military has actually been working with some NGOs to begin setting up field hospitals
for those humanitarian enclaves, as well as beginning preparations to provide shelter and food to people who would also be moving there.
But the Israeli military really hasn't shared a lot of its plans for exactly where these will be set up, how they will be set up? But the United
States, of course, we know has been bringing significant pressure to bear on Israel to first of all, not move forward with the ground defensive in
Rafah.
But if it does, to ensure that those shelters that those areas where people will be evacuated to, will provide them with all of the basic needs that
they will have. But of course, without the details of those plans, it's hard for us to assess whether or not that's actually feasible.
ANDERSON: Yeah, because we are talking about the movement of more than a million people and you are right to point out, it would be useful to get
the detail, because without it, of course, as you say, it is not clear whether that sort of evacuation is feasible at this point. Jeremy, thank
you. You are in Tel Aviv. We appreciate that.
Still to come on CNN, we are juggling two hats today is Donald Trump's historic criminal trial gets underway. We'll have a live report from New
York on what you can expect as jury selection begins.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[09:40:00]
HILL: Donald Trump making history today as the first former U.S. President to face a trial on criminal charges arriving to the courthouse here in New
York just a short time ago. Jury selection of course set to get underway any moment now in this hush money case. And it will continue of course
until that panel of 12 New Yorkers and 6 alternates so that jury is seated.
Donald Trump is charged with 34 felony counts accused of falsifying business records to hide the reimbursement of hush money paid to adult film
star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election. Prosecutors say that the point of that they believe was influencing the 2016 election.
The former president and presumptive Republican presidential nominee, has pleaded not guilty. He lashed out on social media earlier this morning
saying in part I want my voice back. This crooked judge has gagged me, unconstitutional. Of course Judge Juan Merchan did impose a limited gag
order, which bans Trump from attacking witnesses, jurors, attorneys and prosecutors and their families as well as the court staff and their
families.
CNN's Brynn Gingras is live outside the courthouse in New York and joins us with more. So we know when that the former president has arrived, he had
some words as expected. What more can we anticipate seeing today?
BRYNN GINGRAS, CNN U.S. NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yeah, you're going to -- he is inside the courtroom right now with his defense attorneys. It is a
pretty, you know, open courtroom at this point, because the jurors have not yet or prospective jurors rather have not yet come in. So that's what we're
expecting next. Possibly some motions will be made before those prospective jurors are brought in.
But once they do, there are about 100 at a time that will go into that courtroom, and then begins the vetting process who can be impartial out of
those groups are people 12, is what they need with 6 alternates. Now how that's going to work is first we're understanding that the judge said any
juror that has any sort of conflict, whether it be childcare issues, or just can't be there for the six to eight week, this trial is expected to
last.
They're immediately going to be you know, relieved of their duties, then what happens after that is they're going to be given 42 questions
pertaining to this trial. Now, some of those questions include whether or not they attended a Trump rally, for example, where do they get their news?
Are they affiliated with a fringe group like QAnon or the proud boys? So a number of questions, both the prosecution and the defense side are going to
get 10 vetoes of whichever jurors they choose. But this is a process as you can imagine, that could take quite a bit. We're expecting jury selection to
last at least a week, possibly into a second week.
And then opening statements can begin in this trial, which you guys just pointed out a historic trial that again, we are expecting to last about two
months, Erica.
HILL: All right, Brynn. Thank you. Joining me now, Republican Strategist Shermichael Singleton and Democratic Strategist Mark Longabaugh, good to
have both of you with us, this is of course a legal case, but it is impossible to ignore the political elements here, Shermichael, has been
much made of it.
And Donald Trump has even said at moments. He thinks this can ultimately help him while also complaining that he's going to be off the campaign
trail. Being off the trail when he can be out there on the weekends, he sent to be in a courtroom, Shermichael, really going to in any way impact
his ability to communicate with voters?
SHERMICHAEL SINGLETON, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST: I mean, I don't think so because we're covering this wall to wall coverage.
[09:45:00]
I mean, I think Donald Trump has a master mind of commanding media attention if you will and when he talks about this sort of being
politicized from the perspective of many Republican voters that I speak with even a sliver of independent but right leaning voters, they do see it
that way.
For example, you look at Manhattan, 76 percent of residents there voted for President Biden in 2020 over the former president, you look at some of the
statements from Alvin Bragg when he was running as DA he made several presumptive statements and interviews about the former president's alleged
guilt.
There was an article that just came out four hours ago talking about the fact that he raised over $800,000 since indicting the former president. So
you look at all of those facts. And it does sort of raise questions in the eyes of some people, could there be a political component to this?
HILL: Part of what the former president has tried to allege, though, is that this political opponent is really, you know, Democrats pulling strings
here. He's tried to tie this to Joe Biden, which, of course, is not at this point. How are Democrats dealing with those charges? And do you think
they're doing it effectively, Mark?
MARK LONGABAUGH, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST: Yeah -- I think there are a lot of facts out there they come to a different conclusion. I mean most of the
polling that we have seen over time when voters are confronted with the fact that how would they vote if Donald Trump was convicted of a criminal
case?
Sure that, you know, there's massive movement among Republican voters, independent voters, and it moves into a reading almost every poll and --
voters are confronted with that fact. So I do think these trials have the potential to seriously damage Trump. I will also say that on this point,
that you know, he's a master showman.
I agree with that. But what it's going to be forced into is a dialogue and the race is going to be shaped around, many of the things that voters don't
like about Donald Trump. I think he's often his own worst enemy. And if he doesn't control himself and behave himself in the courtroom, I think this
Trump has potential seriously damaging.
HILL: We used to get some of that polling. I do want to just bring up here the polling question that was asked if Donald Trump was convicted 58
percent of likely voters said it wouldn't matter. 29 percent said they'd be less likely to vote for him. 11 percent said they would be more likely to
vote for him.
Some other interesting polling that's come out in just the last couple of days is his latest New York Times polling and which shows a split race at
this point. 46 percent for Donald Trump, 45 percent for Joe Biden, that is well within the margin of error, of course, to put this at a split race.
How much do you think this change in polling because back in February, that same poll, late February, I believe, showed Donald Trump with a 5 point
lead? Shermichael, how much do you think this new polling showing the race tightening is also impacting Donald Trump this morning?
SINGLETON: Well, I'm not surprised as more and more people continue to focus on this nationally. I think what really matters here, Erica, are the
battleground states. What are voters in North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona, Wisconsin, and Nevada, maybe even Pennsylvania if you want to throw that
one in?
What are those voters thinking? Because I think those are the states that the former president needs to win, Pennsylvania, he needs to perform
competitively. And he saw that Quinnipiac poll where 58 percent of voters are saying, look, this doesn't really matter. And I'm not surprised by
that, because I think most people already assumed Trump was either guilty or not guilty.
I don't think you're going to find a whole host of people in the middle on this, Erica. And then once you throw in those sort of third party
candidates, and some of those battleground states, you start looking at the math, and then you do see a path for the former president even if he's
found guilty.
HILL: And, so real quickly, Mark, I'll give you the last word on that.
LONGABAUGH: I think very, very tight -- 30,000 votes -- election and I think it's going to be one of the major moments. I don't think it's going
to --
HILL: Mark Longabaugh, Shermichael Singleton. Good to have you both with us. Thank you. Just ahead here we head back to the Middle East as regional
power scramble to head off an all-out war with Israel and Iran neighbors say needs to be done immediately.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[09:50:00]
ANDERSON: Welcome back. It is 10 to 6 here in the UAE. You are watching "Connect the World" live from our Middle East Hub in Abu Dhabi. This is a
region on tender hooks after Iran's unprecedented attack on Israel. You're looking at video that has emerged on Telegram purporting to show drones
being launched from Iran as part of that attack.
Israel says nearly all were intercepted but it has vowed to quote exact a price in return. Well, sources tell us that there has been heated debate
inside the Israeli war cabinet over the size and scope of any response and the global community urging restraint hoping a line can be drawn under this
flaring violence.
The UN Security Council is set to hold an emergency meeting just minutes from now. And we will of course be monitoring that UN crisis meeting for
you at the top of the hour. Now let's take the temperature in one part of this region, a very important part a part that is already a flashpoint that
is the Northern front of Israel as it is known Southern Lebanon.
Ben Wedeman is live for us in Beirut. Ben, Iran insists its attack on Israel was legitimate. Israel, its war cabinet now pondering its decision
arguing about its decision it seems. What is the prevailing view from around the Middle East about what might happen next?
BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, the fear is that Israel will react to this weekend's Iranian garage that took place. Now
this was the real worry not it was sort of taken as granted and that after the April 1st Israeli strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, that
Iran would respond.
And it was clear from for instance, we heard from the Secretary General of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah that Iran would respond directly to the attack.
And that's what it did. The question that has always been, what next? If Israel retaliates, then you could get into a cycle of strike and counter
strike that has a real danger of escalating.
And that's where the worry lies, is that you have a place like Lebanon, which is always on the brink when it comes to Israel since the beginning of
the war in Gaza. We heard from a source close to Hezbollah that Hezbollah would stand back, have Iran do the response to the strike on the consulate
in Damascus.
But if it escalates after that, he warned then Hezbollah and the other militias and proxies affiliated with Iran could become directly involved,
and would be compelled, in a sense because of their ties with Tehran to escalate the conflict, which would therefore open the door to a regional
war.
And so the fear is what is the next step? So everybody's very closely watching the second meeting of the Israeli war cabinet in less than 24
hours to find out what the decision is. Certainly the hopes is that the United States after President Biden spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu the
other night, that Israel will be restrained and not take the path toward escalation Becky.
ANDERSON: Ben, we are already seeing strike after counter strike across the southern border of Lebanon of course. It is in play, albeit not as
worryingly as it might be and as you say, people concerned about what happens next? Remind us very briefly what Israel's position is when it
comes to Hezbollah and what is going on that Northern front?
[09:55:00]
WEDEMAN: Well, in the first few months following the 7th of October, Israel and Hezbollah, were calling an unwritten understanding that strikes would
be focused on military targets in a relatively close to the border on each side. But what we've seen as time has gone on the Israelis are striking
deeper and deeper inside Lebanon.
For instance, on Sunday, they struck in a town called Nabi Chit (ph) which is well away from the border with the Lebanese Syrian border. And the
Israelis are always holding out the possibility that they will go further, they have made it clear. They want all Hezbollah fighters south of the
Litani River to go north of it, but we're not seeing any indication from Hezbollah that they're willing to do that.
And we've heard from well informed sources that the Israelis have made it clear if that doesn't happen soon they will enter South Lebanon in force,
Becky.
ANDERSON: Ben Wedeman is in Beirut. I'm in Abu Dhabi. We'll be back after this short break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[10:00:00]
END
