Transcript:
The Inside Story: Flashpoint Israel-Hamas
Episode 138 – April 4, 2024
Show Open:
Unidentified Narrator:
This week on The Inside Story:
Deeply depressing... tragic... and a disregard for international humanitarian law. World leaders condemn Israel following a deadly strike on a humanitarian aid convoy.
This, as we approach the six-month anniversary of Hamas’s deadly October seven attacks in Israel.
Plus, the Pope prays for peace in his Easter Sunday address from Vatican City.
And we tell you what you need to know this week about the upcoming u.s. presidential election.
Now... on The Inside Story: Flashpoint Israel Hamas.
The Inside Story:
STEVE KARESH, VOA Correspondent:
Welcome to the inside story, I’m Steve Karesh.
A top U.S. official says the White House is outraged at news of an Israeli airstrike into Gaza that killed seven workers from the aid group World Central Kitchen, causing the group to halt their life-saving operations there.
In the wake of the deadly strike, the Biden Administration is calling on Israel to do more to protect civilians and humanitarian aid workers, alike. VOA’s Senior Diplomatic Correspondent Cindy Saine reports from the State Department.
CINDY SAINE, VOA Senior Diplomatic Correspondent:
The World Central Kitchen aid group, which feeds people suffering from natural disasters and wars all over the world, says it has suspended its operations in Gaza after an Israeli air strike hit its convoy as it was leaving a warehouse loaded with food. A U.S. official confirmed a dual U.S.-Canadian citizen was among the seven killed.
The armored cars carrying food were clearly branded with the WCK logo.
White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby had this reaction during Tuesday’s press briefing.
John Kirby, White House National Security Council Spokesman:
We were outraged to learn of an IDF strike that killed a number of civilian humanitarian workers yesterday from the World Central Kitchen, which has been relentless in working to get food to those who are hungry in Gaza, and quite frankly, around the world.
CINDY SAINE:
World Central Kitchen is run by celebrity chef Jose Andres. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said President Joe Biden reached out to him and told him he is heartbroken.
Karine Jean-Pierre, White House Press Secretary:
The president conveyed he is grieving with the entire World Central Kitchen family. The president felt it was important to recognize the tremendous contribution World Center Kitchen has made to the people in Gaza and people around the world. The president conveyed he will make clear to Israel that humanitarian aid workers must be protected.
CINDY SAINE:
Standing with his French counterpart on a visit to Paris, Secretary of State Antony Blinken called the aid workers “heroes who must be protected.”
Antony Blinken, Secretary of State:
We've spoken directly to the Israeli government about this particular incident, we've urged a swift, a thorough, an impartial investigation to understand exactly what happened.
CINDY SAINE:
French Foreign Minister Stèphane Séjourne was more direct in condemning the Israeli strike.
Stéphane Séjourné, French Foreign Minister:
Allow me first of all to express our strong condemnation of the Israeli strike that led to the deaths of seven humanitarian workers from the NGO World Central Kitchen. Protecting humanitarian workers is a moral and legal imperative that everyone must adhere to.
CINDY SAINE:
Israel’s military on Tuesday expressed “sincere sorrow” over the airstrike and said officials are reviewing the incident at the highest levels.
Relief experts says Palestinian children and families are on the brink of starvation, and this attack will only make things worse. The war between Israel and Hamas began last October 7, when Hamas militants stormed into southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people. Israel has responded with a lethal offensive, killing some 33,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
Cindy Saine, VOA News, the State Department.
STEVE KARESH:
World Central Kitchen founder Chef Jose Andres responded to the strike in a New York Times opinion piece published Wednesday… saying quote:
“Israelis…know that food is not a weapon of war. Israel is better than the way this war is being waged. It is better than blocking food and medicine to civilians. It is better than killing aid workers who had coordinated their movements with the Israel Defense Forces… In the worst conditions, after the worst terrorist attack in its history, it’s time for the best of Israel to show up. You cannot save the hostages by bombing every building in Gaza. You cannot win this war by starving an entire population.”
End quote.
Israeli leader Bejamin Netanyahu called the incident a tragic accident.
The U.S.-based NGO, World Central Kitchen, was established by chef Jose Andres and his wife Patricia following a 2010 earthquake in Haiti to deliver food to survivors. The group has since expanded to provide meals and support to survivors of other disasters as well as refugees and those affected by conflict. And where there is conflict or disaster, you’re likely to find WCK, as it’s served tens of millions of meals in Ukraine alone since Russia’s 2022 invasion.
According to World Central Kitchen, they served more than 43-million meals in Gaza in addition to nearly two-million ((1.75M)) in Israel to those displaced by Hezbollah rocket fire from the north.
In Gaza, the group was part of the first shipment of aid via sea corridor from Cyprus in March. A second maritime shipment carrying some 332 tons of food was due to arrive in Gaza, but Andres says World Central Kitchen is pausing operations in the Palestinian enclave.
Citizens from Australia, Britain, Gaza, and Poland were among the seven killed in the Israeli strike.
On Easter Sunday from Vatican City in Rome, Pope Francis delivered comments to a packed crowd urging peace and calling for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza.
Pope Francis:
I appeal once again that access to humanitarian aid be ensured in Gaza and call once more for the prompt release of the hostages seized on October seventh and for an immediate cease-fire in the Strip. Let us not allow the current hostilities to continue to have grave repercussions on the civil population…and above all the children.
STEVE KARESH:
While much of the world is focused on the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. The conflict also causes disagreement inside Israel. VOA correspondent Linda Gradstein leads our team on the ground there, and she takes us inside the story with a closer look in this series of reports.
Israel has ordered a number of Palestinian hospital patients back to the Gaza Strip after they’re done with treatment in East Jerusalem medical facilities. As Linda Gradstein reports from East Jerusalem, the order has sparked an outcry from human rights groups and the Israeli Supreme Court has put their transfer on hold.
LINDA GRADSTEIN, VOA correspondent Linda Gradstein:
In East Jerusalem’s Makassed Hospital, a room is filled with Palestinian women from Gaza and their newborn babies. One of the mothers got pregnant with twins after seven years of infertility. But when she developed complications late in the pregnancy, her Gazan doctors sent her here for emergency treatment just before the war started in October. Today her twins, Abdullah and Odeih, are healthy five-month-olds.
Hanan Sharadan, Patient from Gaza:
I’d like to go back to my home and if it was safe to go back to northern Gaza, I’d be the first one to go back. But it’s not safe. My husband said it’s better if I don’t come back even though he hasn’t seen his children yet. And where can I get diapers and formula? I’m very scared.
These women and their babies, as well as eleven cancer patients in nearby Augusta Victoria Hospital, had already packed their suitcases because they were supposed to be returned to Gaza last week by COGAT, the Israeli army unit which deals with Palestinian civilians.
But Physicians for Human Rights, along with two Israeli human rights organizations, appealed to the Israeli Supreme Court, which granted a 30-day stay while COGAT explains its reasons for transferring these patients.
An Augusta Victoria cancer patient is concerned about his grandchildren in Gaza, but he is afraid it will be impossible to continue his treatment there.
Khaled Seit, Palestinian Cancer Patient:
Gaza is destroyed and it’s very dangerous. There is no way to get treatment there. The Red Cross is taking patients out of Gaza and Israel wants to send us back? How is that possible?
LINDA GRADSTEIN:
COGAT says it is only sending back patients who are not in need of further medical care. But Physicians for Human Rights says Israel is putting them in danger by sending them to a war zone.
Aseel Abu Ras, Physicians for Human Rights, Female:
After chemotherapy and radiotherapy even if you don’t necessarily have another treatment for the next two months, your body is still weak. Your immune system is weak. And as you know, in Gaza the whole health care system is under collapse. There is no functioning hospital, doctors are overwhelmed, cancer patients are being sent abroad.
LINDA GRADSTEIN:
Treatment for Palestinians at East Jerusalem and Israeli hospitals is entirely paid by the Palestinian Authority.
Dr. Fadi Atrash, the director of the Augusta Victoria Hospital, says that some of his patients have lost family members and homes during the fighting in Gaza. He hopes patients will be allowed to stay at the hospital until there is a ceasefire.
Dr. Fadi Atrash, Director, Augusta Victoria, English:
There is a catastrophe in Gaza from all the points of view. There is no food, no electricity, no water, nowhere they can live in a decent way. They will be refugees in Gaza. Refugees with cancer, in war, in a place without enough supplies.
LINDA GRADSTEIN:
He says more than 750 cancer patients from Gaza had been scheduled to come for treatment in Israel since the war began. Most have gone to other Arab countries. But some are not getting treatment at all, and they don’t know when or where they will find medical care.
Linda Gradstein, VOA News, East Jerusalem.
STEVE KARESH:
Meanwhile, protests in Israel continue over a law granting military exemptions to ultra-Orthodox Jews. The Israeli parliament issued legislation to make military service for them compulsory, as it is for other Israeli citizens. Most ultra-Orthodox oppose military service and threaten to topple the government if forced to serve. We go back to Linda Gradstein for more on this from Israel.
LINDA GRADSTEIN:
Since the beginning of the war in Gaza on October 7, Israel has called up nearly 300,000 reservists. This was in addition to the regular standing army, in which almost 90% of Israeli Jewish youth serve.
In contrast, among ultra-Orthodox Jewish young men, only about 3% are drafted into the Israeli army.
This almost blanket exemption from the draft was granted to the ultra-Orthodox so they can study the Torah in religious institutions instead of doing military service, but it is now the subject of heated public debate.
Yohanan Plesner, Israel Democracy Institute:
Public opinion polls clearly demonstrate that Israelis care deeply about the issue of recruitment and are deeply worried about the exception for the ultra-Orthodox community, exemption from service. This has been the case before October 7 and now given the war situation, and the increasing burden on the serving population, this is extremely disconcerting for the majority of the population.
LINDA GRADSTEIN:
The exemption policy was initiated when the State of Israel was founded over 75 years ago. Then, 400 ultra-Orthodox students received exemptions, while last year that number surged to 66,000.
Israel’s Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled that these exemptions are discriminatory and demanded that successive governments compel the ultra-Orthodox to be drafted.
The court says the change must be made into law by the end of March.
But ultra-Orthodox parties are an essential part of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s hardline coalition, and they are threatening to bring down the government if their military exemptions are cancelled.
Israel’s Chief Sephardic Rabbi declared that if a law is passed to draft all ultra-Orthodox men into the military, the men would leave the country.
Ultra-Orthodox demonstrations against the army draft have been stormy and sometimes violent.
Israel Kaya, Ultra-Orthodox Protester:
They want us, the Orthodox people here in Israel, to go to the Israeli army. They have one intention -- they want us to be not religious. Therefore, we prefer to die, we do not mind going to prison, to die, and not go to the Israeli army.
LINDA GRADSTEIN:
The ultra-Orthodox live in insular communities, completely separate from secular Israeli society. They say that going to the army could tempt many of the young men to abandon their religious way of life. But there are some voices in the ultra-Orthodox community who favor military service, as long as the army would provide strictly kosher food and keep men and women separate.
Yitzik Crombie, MeGo Center for Ultra-Orthodox Vocational Training:
It’s not sustainable to have such a big community in such a small state that are not serving in the army, especially after October 7. The army needs the soldiers. So, we need to find a way how to let ‘haredim’ (ultra-Orthodox) join the army and serve in the army like everyone. And from the other way to keep their identity and way of life.
LINDA GRADSTEIN:
While the debate rages on whether to end the ultra-Orthodox military service exemption, Israeli lawmakers have proposed increasing military service for both regular and reserve soldiers.
This has brought renewed protests against the Netanyahu government and further raised calls for the ultra-Orthodox to share the burden.
Linda Gradstein, VOA News, Jerusalem.
STEVE KARESH:
There’s a lot to unpack in the decades-old tension between Israel and the Arab world. It is a history marked by delicate diplomacy both in and outside of the region. VOA Press Freedom correspondent Robin Guess spoke with David Makovksy. He is the Director of the Koret Project on Arab-Israel Relations at the Washington Institute. The conversation aimed to better understand the forces driving current conflicts. He joined us from his office in Washington, DC.
David Makovksy, Director of the Koret Project on Arab-Israel Relations, TheWashington Institute:
It's clear that a core position of Hamas is they want to see the northern Gaza reopened to them during this six week pause and that is where the rubber meets the road in a certain way because it's going to be this way we don't want Hamas reconstituted. So my hope is that will be some compromise that let's say women, children, elderly people can go back to Northern Gaza. No one can say that these are people that are leading you know, the reconstitution of Hamas. There's more facial recognition software, in terms of if there were Hamas people going through these blockades. But Hamas is saying no, no, no, no, we want no checkpoints. We just want everything to be status quo essentially, and that's where Israel and the United States as far as I know, think that's not realistic. So can the US come up with a compromise that would allow women children elderly in return during the six week process? I think that's that's kind of where the talks are at. So far, that is the Hamas position is will only stop if you let us reconstitute ourselves. So this is this is a problem.
STEVE KARESH:
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made good on a promise to shut down the Al-Jazeera network in Israel. This was made possible by a new law allowing government to ban foreign networks seen as threats to national security. We get more from Jerusalem.
LINDA GRADSTEIN:
Prime Minister Netanyahu wrote on X that he intends to act immediately in accordance with the new law to close what he called “the terrorist channel” Al Jazeera in Israel. He said Al Jazeera had acted against Israeli security, actively participated in the October 7 Hamas massacre, and had incited against Israeli soldiers.
The law was passed in the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, by a margin of 71 to 10.
Erez Malul, Acting Knesset Speaker:
I announce that the bill to prevent foreign broadcasters from harming the state’s security, an interim order, during the Operation “Iron Swords” until 2024, was accepted in the second and third readings and will be entered into the law book.
LINDA GRADSTEIN:
Al-Jazeera condemned Netanyahu's incitement claim as a “dangerous ludicrous lie.” The network, which is watched by more than 430 million people around the world, said that it holds Netanyahu responsible for the safety of its staff and offices, that it would continue what it described as its bold and professional coverage, and that it “reserves the right to pursue every legal step.”
Israeli media analysts said the new law is justified.
Gil Hoffman, Honest Reporting:
People around the world don’t realize that Al Jazeera is state media of Qatar, and that it promotes a very hostile agenda to Israel. There have been many incorrect reports throughout the war, and they wanted to prevent further harm. There are countries around the world that have various bills that prevent enemy states from broadcasting from them during war.
LINDA GRADSTEIN:
At the same time, Hoffman said that the effect of the law will be more symbolic than actual for the Netanyahu government, which is facing vehement protests from both outside and inside Israel.
Gil Hoffman, Honest Reporting:
It has a 45-day limit. And while it can be renewed, it’s only supposed to be used during war and Israelis hope that the war will end soon. I expect this to be something that will be used once with great fanfare. Al Jazeera will continue to broadcast from here. They don’t need to broadcast from here for people around the world to get Al Jazeera reports – they’re in Gaza, they’re in Ramallah, they don’t need to have an office that’s next door to the Government Press Office as it is in Jerusalem.
LINDA GRADSTEIN:
The US government said it was concerned by the measure.
Karine Jean-Pierre, White House Press Secretary:
A move like this is concerning. We believe in the freedom of the press. It is critically important. The United States supports the critically important work journalists around the world do, and that includes those who are reporting on the conflict in Gaza.
LINDA GRADSTEIN:
The new law comes as Qatar is trying to broker a deal for the release of dozens of Israeli hostages in exchange for a temporary ceasefire. Some analysts said the new law could complicate those efforts.
Linda Gradstein, VOA News, Jerusalem.
STEVE KARESH:
Despite facing threats, members of Muslim, Jewish, and Christian faiths gathered for an interfaith dinner marking the end of the daily fast for Muslims during Ramadan, the Fast of Esther for Jews, and the New Year, or Nowruz, for those who celebrate.
From Potomac, Maryland, VOA’s Nilofar Mughal has this story narrated by Bezhan Hamdrad.
BEZHAN HAMDRAD, VOA Correspondent:
Despite increased uneasiness over the Israel-Hamas conflict, more than 100 people attended the meal, organized by the American Muslim and Multifaith Women’s Empowerment Council, or AMMWEC, [[AM-wek]] in collaboration with the Combat Antisemitism Movement.
Anila Ali, AMMWEC President:
Our neighbors will not change. These will be Christians, Jews, Hindus. We need to keep the politics separate and see each other as humans and see how we can bridge the gap.
BEZHAN HAMDRAD:
Organizers said that several threats had been made against the Muslim-Jewish solidarity Iftar this year.
Rabbi Stuart Weinblatt, Congregation B’nai Tzedek:
There is a heightened sense of tension, heightened sense of security and, in many respects, it makes what we did tonight even that much more important. It was difficult to navigate, and there are some people who chose not to come because they don't necessarily understand the importance of something like this at a time like this.
Anila Ali, AMMWEC President:
Events like these are the only way we can move forward, otherwise our communities will break down. I can't tell you how many hate messages we got, but we had to bypass all of them and take this step, but we will not back down. Similarly, we have Iftar events in Boston, Los Angeles, and New York, because interfaith is our religion.
BEZHAN HAMDRAD:
Michael Herzog, the Israeli Ambassador to the United States, who attended the event, says Jews have been encountering a surge of hate and antisemitism in recent months. He recommended addressing these challenges through faith, education and the construction of bridges and thinks events like the multi-faith Iftar can send a positive message.
Michael Herzog, Israeli Ambassador to the United States:
We hope that that message resonates across the board because these are difficult days when we all experience hate, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia. This is the answer.
.
BEZHAN HAMDRAD:
For Nilofar Mughal in Potomac, Maryland – Bezhan Hamdard.
STEVE KARESH:
Before we leave you this week, we have a new segment called USA Votes 2024 to update you on the US Presidential Election.
As NATO marks its 75th anniversary this week. The world’s largest military alliance — and America’s role in European security — are issues that separate U.S. presidential candidates Joe Biden and Donald Trump. VOA correspondent Scott Stearns has more.
SCOTT STEARNS, VOA correspondent:
Seventy-five years after its start, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization remains the most direct U.S. engagement in European security.
Founded after the Second World War, NATO originally joined the United States and 11 European nations in promising to come to each other’s aid if any one of them is attacked.
Then-U.S. President Harry Truman:
Harry Truman, Former U.S. President:
If there is anything certain today, if there is anything inevitable in the future, it is the will of the people of the world for freedom and for peace.
SCOTT STEARNS:
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, NATO’s response, and what it says about America’s role in European security, separate U.S. presidential candidates Joe Biden and Donald Trump.
When he was president, Trump told NATO leaders they were not paying enough for their own protection.
Donald Trump, Republican Presidential Candidate:
The one that benefits really the least is the United States. We benefit the least. We're helping Europe. Europe unites and they go against a common foe — that may or may not be a foe, can't tell you that, there are other foes out there also.
SCOTT STEARNS:
Five years later, Trump told a campaign rally in South Carolina that getting tough with NATO members worked.
Donald Trump, Republican Presidential Candidate:
NATO was busted until I came along. I said, 'Everybody's going to pay.' They said, 'Well, if we don't pay, are you still going to protect us?' I said, 'Absolutely not.' They couldn't believe the answer. And everybody, you never saw more money pour in.
SCOTT STEARNS:
NATO has grown since the Trump administration. Sweden and Finland joined the alliance in the last year or so in its biggest expansion since the fall of the Soviet Union allowed Eastern European countries to join NATO.
Biden says standing up to Russian aggression, together, shows NATO is working.
Joe Biden, President:
Before the war started, I told Putin that if he invaded Ukraine, NATO would not only get stronger but would get more united. And we would see democracies of the world stand up and oppose his aggression and defend the rules-based order. That's exactly what we're seeing today.
SCOTT STEARNS:
As president, Trump prioritized relations with Russia and Vladimir Putin. Campaigning for a second term, he recalled a NATO leader asking about Russian threats.
Donald Trump, Republican Presidential Candidate:
One of the presidents of a big country, he stood up, said, 'Well, sir, if we don't pay and we're attacked by Russia, will you protect us?' I said, 'You didn't pay? You're delinquent?' He said, 'Yes, let's say that happened.' 'No, I would not protect you. In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want.’
SCOTT STEARNS:
Biden says that approach to European security is dangerous for America.
Joe Biden, President:
A former Republican president, [Donald Trump], tells Putin, ‘Do whatever the hell you want.’ That’s a quote. A former president actually said that, bowing down to a Russian leader. I think it’s outrageous. It’s dangerous. And it’s unacceptable.
SCOTT STEARNS:
Trump told the conservative British television network GB News that he backs NATO if everyone pays their fair share.
Nigel Farage, Talk Show Host:
If they play fair ... if they start to play fair, America is there?"
Donald Trump, Republican Presidential Candidate:
Yes, 100 percent. 100 percent.
Nigel Farage, Talk Show Host:
Thank you.
SCOTT STEARNS
Biden says NATO is stronger and more united than ever and is central to the foreign policy goals of his reelection campaign. Scott Stearns, VOA News.
STEVE KARESH:
That’s all for now. Thanks for watching.
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I’m Steve Karesh, We will see you next week, for The Inside Story.
