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Isa Soares Tonight
Emergency Hearing on Trump's CNN, MS NOW, Politico Ban; Son of Israeli Ambassador to u.s. Critically Injured; Reconstruction Plan for Gaza. Aired 2-3p ET
Aired September 23, 2026 - 14:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[14:00:00]
ISA SOARES, HOST, ISA SOARES TONIGHT: A very warm welcome to the show, everyone, I'm Isa Soares. Tonight, Iran says it's the victim of terrorism.
The country's president taking aim at the U.S. and Israel in front of the world leaders at the UNGA. We are live at the United Nations with the very
latest for you.
Plus, a battle for the First Amendment, as CNN, "Politico" and "MS Now" take the Trump administration to court over access to the White House.
We'll bring you developments for you this very hour. And no plan B for Gaza.
That's the word from the U.S. special envoy, Steve Witkoff, as their so- called Board of Peace reveals its $2.5 billion rebuilding plan. My interview with the U.N. Human Rights Commissioner, that is coming up this
hour.
But first tonight, with the whole world watching, Iran's President called U.S. President Donald Trump a bully and vowed his nation would never submit
to America. Masoud Pezeshkian spoke just a short time ago at the U.N. General Assembly, saying the world cannot allow war to replace dialogue and
diplomacy.
He says his nation only wants to use nuclear material for energy, not for weapons. At one point, he held up pictures of Iranian school children he
says were killed in airstrikes, calling their deaths an act of terrorism by the U.S. and Israel. Have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MASOUD PEZESHKIAN, PRESIDENT, IRAN (through translator): The United States President described us as terrorists. We have been the victims of
terrorism. They bombed a school, you see these children, these children perished under bombs with weapons used by the United States and Israel.
They were innocent.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: Well, our chief international anchor Christiane Amanpour is at the U.N., she was listening to that speech, and she joins me now. And
Christiane, what we heard from the Iranian president was a defiant tone from him. What did you take away from what you heard in terms of tone and
words?
CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: Well, look, I think the tone was to be expected. It was -- I didn't recognize it as defiant. I
recognized it as saying that we will not be forced to surrender the same things that the Iranians say all the time.
You can't bomb us into submission. You can't force us to our knees. And don't forget, Pezeshkian is the so-called diplomatic more quote, unquote,
"moderate civilian face" of this regime, that since the U.S.-Israel war on Iran has coalesced much more around the hardliners.
So, the war has actually empowered the IRGC leaders, the more military face of this regime. But what he was saying is that don't call us terrorists,
call what happened here. You know, you can call that terrorism, i.e., what happened to those more than 100 small girls and their teachers.
Remember, on the first day of the war in Minab, when they were attacked by a U.S. projectile and missile, and they perished. And as yet, the United
States has not given a full answer or full investigation into it. They haven't admitted any sort of fault in that.
And CNN itself has had exclusive reporting saying that actually U.S. commanders had ignored the fact that there were warnings about outdated
maps and outdated U.S. Intelligence on sort of targets inside Iran. So, that's that.
On the nuclear issue, they said that they wanted to have dialogue, that, as you see, because you talked about it, they again restated their public
position that they don't want nuclear weapons. They want to have it for energy. In any event, they're ready to have a dialogue.
And I think that's the key here. Will there be any kind of progress on any kind of diplomatic end to this war, which is going very badly for the
United States and Israel and very badly for Iran as well.
[14:05:00]
SOARES: So, flesh that out for us, Christiane, because obviously we saw at the -- at the sidelines of the U.N. where you are, Minister Abbas Araghchi,
the Iranian Foreign Minister holding talks with the U.S. envoy, Steve Witkoff, through mediators.
And in the last few hours -- the last two hours, in fact, I was looking at a tweet from the spokesperson for the Ministry of Iran, basically saying,
laying out "Iran's conditions are clear and transparent cessation of aggressive U.S. actions, including the naval blockade, economic terrorism."
It goes on to say, ending the war on all fronts, accepting of a safe- shipping route. I mean, are you seeing, from what you've heard so far, are you seeing any kind of meaning more -- meaningful shift in Iran's position?
And I do wonder from the conversations you're having there; how sustainable this diplomatic engagement is right now?
AMANPOUR: So, Isa, a lot of those points, and I didn't see them all, but the ones you were reading are very much Iran's position and have been, and
are very much similar --
SOARES: Yes --
AMANPOUR: To what was in the initial Memorandum of Understanding. The idea of ending the economic war, ending the war of aggression, as they call it,
opening the Straits of Hormuz, making sure that, you know, all those things can work.
Now, Iran's position on the Strait of Hormuz has hardened since the Memorandum of Understanding. It's kind of a battle not just for control of
the -- of the water of the waterway there, the critical one. But according to the diplomats and former officials who I'm talking to, they're basically
saying that Iran is trying to use this moment to insist that it has a role in the bigger security picture for that region.
In other words, if there is to be security, if there is to be peace in that specific region, which involves the gulf countries, which involves, you
know, all of that Persian Gulf area, then Iran has to be at the table and has to be included.
It can't be a deal that sidelines Iran and just resolves or attempts to resolve. So, that is what I think I'm hearing from most of the people who
are involved in these -- in these negotiations. Now, the question is, is that acceptable to the United States? How will they take it?
And as you've seen, when Iran feels that it's not able to put its negotiating posture on a table, it tends to escalate militarily. And you've
seen that happen, and you've seen the U.S. counter response. What we've also seen here --
SOARES: Yes --
AMANPOUR: Is the special envoy of the President for this peace situation. Steve Witkoff, yesterday tweeted, or X or whatever you call it, that
actually, there was some good talks, he said, as work in progress, but they still keep working.
And you've talked about how there have been hours of discussions between Iran and the U.S. here, but through intermediaries and mediators. The fact
that the Foreign Minister is here is important. The fact that the President is here is important because they represent the negotiating factor.
But it should not be conflated with the division in the Iranian system, because even though the hardliners, the IRGC, are mostly in charge, it's
kind of a consensus view of how this needs to end right now.
SOARES: Christiane, really appreciate you laying it all down for us, giving us a sense of what is being said and the interpretation behind it,
because there's pressures also from the United States with Midterms just around the corner. Thanks very much, Christiane, appreciate it, live for us
at U.N.
AMANPOUR: Thank you --
SOARES: Well, another big conflict is in focus, of course, and that's Russia's war on Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is at the podium,
we'll show you the images right now addressing the U.N. General Assembly.
And these are live images, he's speaking for what? The last eight minutes or so. He is seeking, as you know, more military assistance and security
assurances, as well as diplomatic support, warning that Russian President Vladimir Putin is a danger to the entire world.
New Russian drone strikes hit Kyiv today, underscoring really what's at stake in all the meetings this week at U.N. And we've seen not just Kyiv,
but also Zaporizhzhia strikes in the last 24 hours. Our Fred Pleitgen is following the developments from Berlin.
And Fred, I'm just looking at some of the lines he is saying, and it seems that, you know, again, saying that, you know -- promises, we're just
hearing a lot of promises are always -- are saying just a few more months. But clearly, there isn't -- hasn't been a shift.
You've been listening to what he's been saying. Give us a sense of what the message is, because this is what his fifth address at the UNGA, and this is
the fifth year, of course, fifth Winter for Ukraine of this war.
FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, that's exactly what he's saying. He says that this war has been going on for
nearly five years now. And you're absolutely right. Basically, Volodymyr Zelenskyy is saying that right now, as far as diplomacy is concerned, he
really doesn't have very much faith in the intentions of Vladimir Putin.
[14:10:00]
One of the lines that we heard from Volodymyr Zelenskyy is, as long as the Russians are going to be able to prosecute this war, Zelenskyy says that it
is -- it is unlikely that Vladimir Putin is going to go for a diplomatic solution.
He said, look, Vladimir Putin always says there's some reason not to go for diplomacy. It's been quite interesting to see the structure of Volodymyr
Zelenskyy's speech as he came onto the podium there. He began by referencing President Trump and some of the things that he had said about
the war in Ukraine over the past couple of days, specifically, the fact that diesel prices, for instance, in the United States have gone up very
much in response to the Ukrainians hitting some oil facilities in the Russian Federation.
And Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, yes, that's exactly the case. But he also said that the reason why the Ukrainians are doing this, he says, is to try
and starve Russia of the financial resources to continue to prosecute what the Russians still call their special military operation, because Volodymyr
Zelenskyy says he believes that without that, it is unlikely that a diplomatic solution is going to be reachable.
The other thing that he also made note of specifically, was he said that international sanctions against Russia are also very important. He thanked
all the countries that were part of sanctions against Russia.
And he said that if countries resume trade, for instance, with Russia, that, that is something that could give more oxygen to the combat
operations in Ukraine and cause them to go on even longer. But one of the things that you just mentioned also really right now, as we were going to
air of Volodymyr Zelenskyy was talking about -- and that is that new missile and drone threat that's been there for a long time.
But that's greatly expanded over the past couple of weeks, the past couple of months. Now, Zelenskyy saying that --
(CROSSTALK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, PRESIDENT, UKRAINE: And of course, roads --
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PLEITGEN: Jet-powered drones that the Russians have been sending in large numbers have been a huge issue for the Ukrainian military. He says they're
trying to find new ways of shooting them down. But he essentially also said that Ukraine right now is under almost 24/7 aerial assault by those very
cheap, those very fast and those very powerful drones that the Russians are sending.
So, certainly, the Ukrainian President, not seemingly indicating that he believes that this war could end in the near future. At the same time, he's
urging the international community to continue a tough line against Russia, and obviously also says that the Ukrainians will continue to need military
aid as well from their partners to stay in the fight. Isa.
SOARES: Yes, and he said, you know, the war keeps spreading further wherever it spread. It only brings pain, instability, and of course, new
crisis. Clearly, also saying again, as we've heard previously, that Russia always says no to diplomacy.
Which is interesting because in the last, what? Two hours or so, you would have seen this. We've heard Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying that
President Putin has been invited to the G20. I mean, how would that be? How would that -- first of all, be received by Ukraine, but also by European
countries and European cities who are very much putting on the pressure on Putin for this -- to bring this war to a conclusion?
PLEITGEN: Well, they certainly won't be very happy about it. Specifically, the Ukrainians certainly won't be very happy about it, because they
obviously want to see Russia isolated on the international stage. And if you look at the Europeans right now, there's been very little -- almost
nothing really in the way of talking between any European nations and the Russian Federation.
And certainly, it doesn't appear as though something like that is in the cards any time soon. Nevertheless, of course, it also comes at a time Isa,
as we've been witnessing over the past couple of days and weeks as the U.S. has tried to renew its push to try and bring some sort of diplomatic end to
this war.
We heard it from President Trump when he met Volodymyr Zelenskyy yesterday, where he said he believes that some sort of deal could be reached between
Russia and Ukraine. He didn't say specifically what exactly that could be.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy himself, of course, also said that he believes that something like a ceasefire, as far as critical infrastructure and oil and
gas infrastructure is concerned, that, that is something that the Ukrainians certainly would be willing to go for.
Of course, very difficult right now to see any path forward. But the United States certainly is trying to keep up that diplomatic pressure, and at
least, talking to both sides to see whether or not some sort of diplomatic in-roads can be made, despite the odds, of course, being very difficult at
this point in time. Isa.
SOARES: Indeed, I know you'll stay across it. I think he's continuing his speech at the UNGA. We're grateful, Fred, for you to continue to listen. He
is indeed -- I'm seeing it. Thanks very much. I do want to continue this conversation and stick with Ukraine for the time being, get the perspective
from a European official, from European Foreign Minister in fact.
Paulo Rangel joins me now from New York. Foreign Minister, really appreciate you coming on the show. Let me just pick up, and I might -- I
understand perhaps, you're not listening to what Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President Zelenskyy is saying right now.
But I'm hoping that you heard what Fred Pleitgen, our correspondent is saying. But the message seems to be really a lack of patience from
President Zelenskyy, and saying that the promises from President Putin are always the same.
[14:15:00]
Just a few more months, talking about delivery of weapons, et cetera., but also no diplomacy on his part. How do you see -- I mean, how concerned are
you really, that this is becoming just another increasingly entrenched war, given what we've seen, not only in Kyiv today, but overnight in
Zaporizhzhia?
PAULO RANGEL, FOREIGN MINISTER, PORTUGAL: Well, first, let me thank you for your invitation. And I have to say that Portugal, together with the
European Union and our partners in the European Union, we really are very worried with the situation in Ukraine.
And this means that we really think that we have to speed up the support for Ukraine and especially all the efforts to have a diplomatic solution.
Of course, that is impossible without -- that won't be possible without the United States contribution.
So, I think that every European country and President Zelenskyy himself, and Ukrainians, they really know that it's very important that the United
States can really have this role of establishing talks between Russia and Ukraine. And so, in this respect --
SOARES: Right --
RANGEL: All our -- all our hope is in the possibility --
SOARES: Yes --
RANGEL: That United States are --
SOARES: Yes --
RANGEL: A bit more active now.
SOARES: Right, but we've been -- we're five years now. We're going into the fifth Winter of this war. President Putin, as we heard from President
Zelenskyy, is saying, always says no to diplomacy. And the last few hours, as you heard me discuss with our correspondent, we've seen President
Vladimir Putin being invited to the G20.
This was coming from Secretary Marco Rubio saying this is an opportunity for him -- for Putin to engage. How would you -- how do you think this will
be received by European countries?
RANGEL: Well, I think that the majority of European countries won't be really very happy knowing that, President Putin can participate in G20. I
have to say, in any case, that if this means that we are really progressing in the possibility of having a diplomatic solution, of course, there will
be a point where there will have -- we have to really establish communication between Russia and Ukraine.
And we need a mediator, and so, I wouldn't say no to that. If that represents a real progress, new step or a further step in the possible
diplomatic solution. So, Portugal and other countries and even, President Zelenskyy last June, in Cyprus, they were very clear, saying that we are
not against direct talks with President Putin.
If that means that we are really moving forward to a diplomatic solution that can bring a fair and lasting peace in Ukraine. So, this is really, I
say the criterion to evaluate if this is positive or a non-so-positive step depends only on the moment of diplomatic talks that we are. If --
SOARES: Right, and those who are --
RANGEL: Presence of President Putin --
SOARES: Right, and so, you are --
RANGEL: In a G20 meeting means that we are progressing, then this could be accepted, and I would say even stimulated. But if we are only --
SOARES: Right --
RANGEL: Inviting him with the hope that one day he will change, this, I think, won't help. And by the contrary -- quite the contrary, it can mean
that we are accepting that the impasse that until now, Putin and the Russian authorities are imposing to the war, this kind of stalemate that he
will continue -- so, it will continue.
[14:20:00]
So, I have to be very clear if this means that we are engaged in a process of diplomatic conversations, until that moment and that moment will be
special occasion to progress, then I think this could be accepted as a positive step if it's only a way of inviting -- with the --
SOARES: Yes, I hear you. Yes. But so far, Foreign Minister, we haven't heard anything that suggests that there is progress on that front, unless
you've heard something that we haven't, of course. And the reason I'm posing this question was because what I've heard on this show from many
Foreign Ministers from eastern Europe, what I've heard -- we've heard today from the Czech President, Petr Pavel, warning of Russia's aggressive
posture.
You know, how that poses a threat to European security. So, the reason I was asking is really how much would this invitation -- and I know, albeit
we don't know what's behind it diplomatically. Would that be seen as a slap in the face for -- to Europe and to Ukraine?
But look, you've got an important role. Portugal has got an important role here because you're about to take on a very different responsibility, a
seat on the U.N. Security Council with the presidency, I believe in January.
Speak to that, because at a time when the Council is increasingly divided, what do you think that Portugal can realistically achieve from inside that
room? And so many of the powerful speeches we heard at the U.N., including from European and Arab allies, have questioned, of course, the
international community's ability to enforce peace. So, just give us your perspective, Foreign Minister.
RANGEL: Yes, let me only say that I fully agree that if we don't have any sign that there is a progress, this invitation to Putin will be a bad step.
And will give to Putin some capacity to breathe that we think that he should not have, because Russia is becoming more and more aggressive. This
is true.
Then, this being said, looking at the Security Council, well, we -- I think that we can do a lot in some conflicts that are not so visible. And so, if
we look at the Sudan, if you look at the Congo, if you look at Haiti, I think that the Security Council has a room of maneuver to be much more
effective.
When we look to the conflicts that are impacting more the global, the world and the global dimensions of economy of even, geopolitics, and of course,
one is Russia-Ukraine, and the other is, Middle East.
And here, the different dimensions of Middle East conflict, starting with Iran and gulf, United States, then of course, Palestine, Israel, even
Lebanon, Syria and so on. So, we have plenty of different spots where the Middle East conflict is reflected.
Here, it will be more difficult because, you know, that the P5, the five permanent members of the Security Council, they have very different views
on these conflicts. And so, as they have veto power, they have the capacity to stop any step that we want to take. But I believe that Portugal --
SOARES: Yes --
RANGEL: Is a bridge-builder. So, we have a strong presence all across the world, quite, I would say good diplomatic machinery and also, good
reputation. And so, this means that we can, I believe behind the closed doors --
SOARES: Yes --
RANGEL: To work a lot to try to --
SOARES: Yes --
RANGEL: Figure out solutions for the different conflicts, or at least, look --
SOARES: Yes --
RANGEL: Some improvements.
SOARES: Yes --
RANGEL: If I may give you --
SOARES: Yes --
RANGEL: An example.
SOARES: And here's hoping --
RANGEL: In the --
SOARES: And here's hoping --
RANGEL: We have Hormuz Strait, but we have also the Black Sea that is today --
SOARES: Yes --
RANGEL: Also blocked. And this is impacting --
SOARES: Yes --
RANGEL: Very much in food --
SOARES: Yes --
RANGEL: Security, for instance, in African continent, probably together with the India, with Turkey, in the Black Sea, it's possible to have an
arrangement --
SOARES: You have a lot on your plate --
RANGEL: Between Ukraine and Russia that will allow the flows. So, we -- I think that we cannot --
(CROSSTALK)
SOARES: Well, Foreign Minister --
RANGEL: Even in this coming.
SOARES: I'm sorry to interrupt because we're running out of time, but we're -- it does seem is that, you are prepared, but clearly have a lot on
your plate starting January. Here's hoping, of course, that Portugal can bridge, of course, some of these gaps.
[14:25:00]
Really appreciate it, I'm sorry to have to interrupt, we are running out of time, we're so grateful. Busy hour of course, from the U.N. General
Assembly. Thank you very much, Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel --
RANGEL: Thank you --
SOARES: Thank you, always wonderful to have you on the show. Thank you, Foreign Minister. Thank you. And still to come on the show tonight, critics
and news organizations call it direct assault on the First Amendment. But the DOJ is defending President Trump's media ban on CNN and two other
outlets. We have more on an emergency court hearing that is just ahead for you.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SOARES: Well, there are 41 days until the U.S. Midterm elections, and a new CNN poll finds Democrats leading Republicans by 8 points nationally. A
number like that would almost certainly give Democrats control of the House and likely the Senate, too.
And if you want to know what is likely behind the Democrats' lead, well, the poll also finds that President Donald Trump is the most unpopular he
has ever been. As you can see, the President's approval rating is 33 percent, that's lower than any time in his first or second terms.
Americans are frustrated with the President on a number of different arenas, including economy, which has been traditionally -- been one of his
strongest issues. I want to bring in CNN's Washington Bureau Chief, David Chalian, to help us divide the number.
Help us break down the numbers. So, help us down -- help us out here, David -- I mean, David, how much is this? You know, down to 33 percent, down to
the war in Iran, rising costs and inflation, or is this leadership style? Speak to that.
DAVID CHALIAN, CNN SENIOR VP & WASHINGTON BUREAU CHIEF: Definitely think what we see here is that the economy is driving this. And I'll give you a
perfect example, Isa, because in 2018, eight years ago, when Donald Trump was in his first term and facing tough Midterm environment, he was really
unpopular.
He was at 36 percent approval. So, in the range, he is now at these historic lows. But his approval on the economy stood at 49 percent. In
fact, it was right side up, 49 percent approved at the time, 44 percent disapproved. That is a complete reversal now.
He is underwater on the handling of the economy by 22 points. With that 27 percent approval on that issue that you showed, and it is far in a way the
number one issue for American voters. This is about an economy that is not working for them, and they no longer think it is the strong suit of Donald
Trump that they once thought it was.
SOARES: Well, David Chalian, just looking at some of those numbers, it is quite telling, interesting to see how that is being received by the GOP. We
are running out of time, but I really appreciate you coming on, David. Good to see you --
[14:30:00]
CHALIAN: My pleasure --
SOARES: Thank you very much indeed --
DAVID CHALIAN, CNN SENIOR VP AND WASHINGTON BUREAU CHIEF: Take care.
SOARES: Because a little over an hour from now, thank you, David, take care, an emergency hearing will be held that will not only test the limits
of the White House power, but also the freedom of the press in America. CNN, MS NOW and Politico are expected to ask the Trump-appointed judge to
declare the president's media ban unconstitutional and immediately restore their White House access.
The News Atlas called the ban a blatant violation of the First Amendment. But in a court filing on Tuesday, the Justice Department says it was
necessary, citing national security concerns.
Our Katelyn Polantz joins me now from Washington, D.C. So, Katelyn, talk us through this. I mean, what exactly is the Justice Department saying here?
And what are we expecting in the next hour? Talk ahead to that.
KATELYN POLANTZ, CNN CRIME AND JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: In the next hour, that's when the hearing begins, 3:30 p.m. on the East Coast here in
Washington, D.C. Judge Timothy Kelly, he'll take the bench. And he is a Trump appointee, but he's dealt with these issues before and has restored a
press pass to someone, Jim Acosta of CNN in 2018. He restored Acosta's press pass immediately in a hearing very much like this, an emergency
hearing several years ago saying the White House didn't give due process. There's a couple things that we're going to be watching for at this
hearing.
The first is, Judge Kelly, where does he seem to be thinking or feeling about where the law is on this right now on access to the White House by
the national press? Can the White House pull press credentials? Can they do it for reasons because they don't like what a publication may be reporting?
Can they bring a national security argument into play, or have they violated the First Amendment and also other constitutional protections by
revoking the press credentials of CNN, MS NOW, and Politico?
Listening to what Judge Kelly says at the beginning of this hearing is going to be crucial. Also, seeing how fast he may want to act on something
like this. We are in a week where there has been suspended live coverage of the president on major broadcast network cameras, on the national public
radio, on still photographers. They're publishing their photos of the president traveling to the U.N. General Assembly, meeting with the Chinese
president. They're publishing those late at night after the day is over, not in real time.
Judge Kelly, he has the ability here to step in very quickly. The law has been clear. He's obviously dealt with this before. But we are waiting to
see exactly what he will do and how quickly he may move on it. The other question is how much Judge Kelly is going to want to deal with some of the
arguments that are coming up here related to the Constitution. Is this going to be a question just about has the White House revoked these press
passes without due process?
That's how previous cases all function, what they turned on whenever judges have restored White House press credentials that were dropped by the White
House. In this case, both the press, the news outlets have argued that this is a First Amendment issue, a constitutional violation that has been
enshrined in this country for decades.
Is Judge Kelly going to want to grapple with that? And also, is he going to want to take up Justice Department arguments that were made last night that
it's a national security risk to have outlets that the president doesn't trust come into the White House and do reporting, asking him questions and
being on the White House grounds?
So, a lot to cover in the hearing. It could go on for some time. It starts at 3:30. We'll be listening and covering very closely during that time.
Isa.
SOARES: I know you will. We're so grateful for that. Katelyn Polantz for us there in Washington, D.C. Good to see you, Katelyn. Thank you very much.
And still to come tonight right here on the show, the U.S.-backed Board of Peace has unveiled a reconstruction plan for Gaza on the sidelines of the
U.N. We'll speak to the U.N. Human Rights Commissioner about the fate of Gaza's two million Palestinians. That is just ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:35:00]
SOARES: And this just in to CNN, the son of the Israeli ambassador to the U.S. has been critically injured in a ramming attack this afternoon in the
occupied West Bank. Our Jeremy Diamond, who's tracking the developments, joins me now.
And, Jeremy, I was looking at the tweet from the ambassador, and it seems his son is in a very serious condition. What more can you tell us here?
JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN JERUSALEM CORRESPONDENT: Yes, that's right. According to authorities, the son of the Israeli ambassador to Washington is indeed
in critical condition after what's been described to us as a ramming attack in the West Bank today, earlier this afternoon. A car rammed into Yechiel
Leiter's son, who was manning a checkpoint in the West Bank, working as a reserve duty soldier.
His name is Neriah Leiter. He is a reserve soldier who was manning this checkpoint in the occupied West Bank near the settlement of Beit Horon, and
he has since been rushed to a hospital in Jerusalem. His father, the Israeli ambassador to Washington, is now saying that his son Neriah needs a
miracle, and he called on Israelis and Jewish people around the world to pray for his son.
Those prayers have indeed been pouring in, including from the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as the U.S. ambassador to Israel,
Mike Huckabee, who both posted messages of support and prayer on X.
This is the second attack carried out in just the last three days in the West Bank by Palestinian militants. Three days earlier, a Palestinian
gunman shot dead an Israeli in the occupied West Bank as well. That incident, I should say, resulted in one fatality. And we should also, of
course, note that this comes against the backdrop of overall rising violence in the West Bank, including rising settler violence against
Palestinians. This has been the deadliest year on record as it relates to settler violence in the West Bank so far this year. That certainly is a
backdrop to what we are seeing in the West Bank right now.
But as of tonight, an Israeli soldier, the son of the Israeli ambassador to Washington, is in the hospital in Jerusalem in critical condition. Also,
important to note that Yechiel Leiter, the ambassador in question, lost another son, an Israeli soldier who died in Gaza at the beginning of this
war.
SOARES: And I know you'll stay on top of this story for us. Thanks very much, Jeremy Diamond, for us there in Tel Aviv.
[14:40:00]
Well, U.S. President Donald Trump's Board of Peace has unveiled a $2.5 billion plan to begin rebuilding Gaza with special envoy Steve Witkoff
saying there is no plan B, so the proposal must succeed. The board acknowledged it may be a difficult road ahead. A U.S.-backed ceasefire is
hanging by a thread as Israel continues to carry out strikes and Hamas refuses to unilaterally disarm.
Today, the U.N. said extensive strikes in densely populated areas have caused mass death, displacement and destruction, leaving some 68 million
metric tons of debris and potentially contaminated rubble that's still concealing remains of the dead. French President Emmanuel Macron told the
U.N. General Assembly the situation in Gaza should shame us all.
Well, before the show, I spoke with Volta Turk, the U.N. Human Rights High Commissioner, about the situation in Gaza. He called it disastrous. Have a
listen.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
VOLKER TURK, U.N. HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS: So, we had, as you know, the ceasefire, and then everyone thinks that things become normal,
and that's just not the case. We have over 1,300 people killed ever since the ceasefire by the forces, by the Israeli defense forces.
We have a trickle of humanitarian aid coming in, so not enough, despite the fact that the situation is disastrous. We have the bulldozing of entire
neighborhoods and you probably saw I issued a very strong appeal that in order to find out who is under the rubble, there are corpses, dead bodies
under the rubble.
And it's so important that also for dignity purposes, there is a proper process of not only burial, but also of making sure that we can find the
evidence of what happened to people. And none of this is happening. And there is an ever-increasing restriction to where Palestinians can live in
Gaza under abominable circumstances because humanitarian aid is not coming in.
So, there is a lot of talk about fiction and reality. The reality is such that indeed people suffer enormously. And I have to say one thing that I've
taken out, certainly of the General Assembly debate that we are currently following, a lot of countries refer to this catastrophic situation and ask
the current Israeli government to change course, which is very important.
SOARES: I mean, we heard President Macron of France at the U.N. yesterday said, what is our credibility worth if we remain inactive on Gaza? That
really stood out to me from what I heard from him. As the U.N.'s High Commissioner for Human Rights, do you believe the international system has
failed that test? Because this is something we hear not just from the French president, but also from Lula in Brazil and others. Speak to that.
TURK: I mean, first of all, international law is what we have to cling on to, especially in the current, very confusing, very chaotic times. Because
international law came out of two world wars. It came out of the Holocaust. It came out of atrocity crimes. And that was what the world never wanted to
see again.
It is being violated. There's absolutely no -- it's being violated in Gaza, in the West Bank, in Sudan, in Ukraine, in all the different places where
currently war is waged. And I hope that there will be a vision that comes together again that says, sorry, the instruments that we have created over
the last 80 years need to work. And it's not the rule of the powerful that determines our fate, but it's the rule of law.
And I do think that the vast majority of people want that around the world. They don't want the lawlessness that we currently see. And I do hope that
this gets translated much more into politics. But we also have those who believe only that power, might is right, and that you can do whatever you
want. It's on us to say, no, we don't accept this.
And I hope there will be more mobilization and activation to bring back reason and compassion and wisdom to our world today.
SOARES: I want to speak briefly, if I may, about the West Bank, because King Abdullah of Jordan said yesterday at UNGA, said that what was
happening in the occupied West Bank is not simply an escalation, but he said it's a fundamental shift he spoke of, involving settlements, land
seizures, and forced displacement. Just have a listen to what he said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KING ABDULLAH II, JORDAN: And while the world has been focused on Gaza, something extraordinarily dangerous is unfolding in the West Bank. Some may
think we have seen this before. Settlements, violence, displacement, more of the same. But it is not. Nor is it simply an escalation. This is a
fundamental shift.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
[14:45:00]
SOARES: Right. A fundamental shift. He actually went further and called the West Bank expansion a war crime. How do you, Volker Turk -- how do --
what do you make, then, of that? I mean, do you support, first of all, the characterization? And for our viewers, just tell us what you and your teams
have been seeing on the ground and what relates to the West Bank.
TURK: The situation in the West Bank is extremely worrying. I fully agree with King Abdullah and with many others who have been warning about this
deteriorating situation. You see the expansion of settlements. You see the killing of people by not only Israeli settlers, but also by the Israeli
defense forces. You see, again, the attempt to restrict movements. You see the taking over of land. You see the olive harvests. In fact, that's what
we have seen over the last couple of years. You see that the olive harvest, which is an incredibly important source of income, are being destroyed, or
they are actually attacking people who want to harvest olives.
I mean, you see a suffocation of the Palestinian people within the West Bank. And it's, again, very clearly, the highest court in the world, the
world court, the International Court of Justice, issued an advisory opinion, not only about the unlawful continuing occupation of the West
Bank, but also the unlawfulness of the settlements.
So, again, the question of international law comes in, because when we see displacement happening, when we see a suffocating of life in the West Bank,
yes, a lot of pressure needs to be put on the current Israeli government to stop this and to reverse course. And if that does not happen, they will
continue. But they do listen if, indeed, the International Community is absolutely crystal clear that this is unacceptable.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SOARES: Incredibly grateful for Volker Turk for his time. I'm going to take a short break. We'll see you back. You are watching CNN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SOARES: On CNN's Culture and Lifestyle Series, "Seasons," hosted by Laura Jackson, we're exploring what it means to have good taste. In a time when
what we buy is shaped by social media as well as viral trends, Laura meets an award-winning British designer who celebrates what you can see, touch,
as well as feel.
[14:50:00]
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LAURA JACKSON, HOST, "SEASONS": Aren't these amazing? Oh my gosh, look at this. What is it?
JACKSON (voice-over): Step into the material world of Tom Dixon.
TOM DIXON, DESIGNER: We're playing with things like two-way mirror to get all of these extraordinary reflections, which make these things look really
handmade, but actually these are industrially produced. If you go in there, you'll kind of see what I mean.
JACKSON: Hello, testing, one, two, three.
JACKSON (voice-over): Tom's love of experimentation shapes every piece in his luxury interiors company. It's the reason why he got into making
furniture in the early 1980s.
DIXON: I was a bass player in a disco band.
JACKSON: No.
DIXON: So, then I broke my arm in a motorbike accident and then I started making things for fun.
JACKSON (voice-over): His minimalistic designs, often made out of raw, unprocessed materials, soon became cult classics.
JACKSON: I mean, you said that you weren't trained, so is taste, do you think, something that you can learn or is it something that you're born
with? That's a big question.
DIXON: I think it's something which moves and evolves. So, it's really important not to get locked into this kind of insane speed of consumption
that is happening in fashion and electronics and just pop culture generally, because the stuff that you have for your home has to have a
degree of permanence about it.
JACKSON (voice-over): The global flagship is also home to a studio and restaurant.
DIXON: What's great about the restaurant is that you're getting 2,000 to 3,000 people a week, maybe up to 5,000 people a week coming through and
sitting with you for two hours. Try doing that in retail. Impossible, right? And then they're not just experiencing the look of the furniture,
which you'd get on Pinterest, but they're experiencing also the comfort, they're experiencing the acoustics, experiencing the smells and the
textures of our world.
JACKSON: These are classic Tom Dixon for me.
JACKSON (voice-over): Across luxury, more and more customers are seeking out experiences that could help them connect emotionally with a brand.
JACKSON: What's your favorite thing then? I mean --
DIXON: My favorite thing?
JACKSON: Yes.
DIXON: Oh, well, that's impossible to say.
JACKSON (voice-over): An alternative to the e-commerce convenience of modern life. It's why, for Tom, good taste isn't just about the things you
buy, but the memories they create.
DIXON: That's interesting because it's so simple, right? And you noticed it, which is great. It gives a reason for people to get away from their
screens and experience the real world. And then you layer that with, you know, the tastes and the smells and the sounds. It's what people are
increasingly going to need.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:55:00]
SOARES: Well, a new exhibition is opening today at Paris' Grand Palais that focuses on the legacy of French artist Paul Cezanne. It will feature
70 works by Cezanne along with dozens of works from other artists as it focuses on his impact from the late 19th century to, in fact, the present
day. Cezanne is still regarded as one of the most influential figures in modern art more than a century after his death. The exhibition runs until
January.
And finally, for you tonight, an amazing display of artistry in a very unexpected location. Have a look at this. On Sunday, this tightrope walker
carefully balanced 300 feet in the air and tethered. She was walking between two of Europe's tallest slat heaps. Those are mine dumps that are
formed by the waste materials produced from mining. She said this feat was a way to honor northern France's mining history and also make something
beautiful out of the unexpected.
That does it for us for this hour. Thanks very much for your company. Do stay right here. "What We Know" with Max Foster's up next. I'll see you
tomorrow. Have a wonderful evening.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[15:00:00]
END
