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Flynn Refuses Congressional Subpoena; Trump Wrapping Up Historic Day in Israel; Trump and Netanyahu Press Conference. Aired 1- 1:30p ET

Aired May 22, 2017 - 13:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Hello. I'm Wolf Blitzer. It's 1:00 p.m. here in Washington, 8:00 p.m. in Jerusalem. Wherever you're watching from around the world thanks very much for joining us.

Right now, we're following breaking news on Michael Flynn. A source tells CNN that the former national security advisor to the president is said to refuse a congressional subpoena, instead he's preparing to plead the fifth amendment, meaning he won't answer questions from the U.S. Congress on his dealings with Russian agents. We're going to get to this major development in just a few moments.

But first, take a look at these live pictures coming in from Jerusalem right now. Any moment now, we expect to hear a joint statement from President Donald Trump and the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. We're going to bring that to you live as soon as it gets underway. It's running a bit late but we'll, of course, have live coverage.

Today has been another day packed with history for President Trump, besides his meetings with Israeli leaders. The president also visited important religious sites, including the church of the holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, one of the Christianity's most holy sites.

He also became the first sitting U.S. president to go to the western wall. One of Judaism's most holy site's as well. Israel is the second stop on the president's trip. But after this, the president heads to Vatican City. Then to NATO headquarters in Brussels. And then, to Sicily for the G7 summit.

Our White House Correspondent Sara Murray is joining us now live from Jerusalem. Sara, the president's words were, once again, measured during appearances in Saudi Arabia. Has it been the same in Israel?

SARA MURRAY, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: We have mostly seen a choreographed visit from President Trump today. I think that was certainly evident when we saw him visiting the western wall. As you know, Wolf, that can be a political tight rope for politicians. And he rebuffed advances from prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu who wanted to join President Trump on his visit to the western wall.

Instead, President Trump's advisers made clear he wanted this to be a private visit, you know, without trying to send any political signals that would have potentially inflamed the Palestinians or those in the Arab world.

But there was an indication that President Trump maybe feeling a bit more comfortable in Israel. And those were some comments he made earlier with Benjamin Netanyahu, essentially saying he never mentioned the word Israel when he met with Russian officials in that Oval Office meeting where he has allegedly shared highly-classified intelligence with Russian officials.

Of course, the reporting out of that was that intelligence came, in part, from a U.S. ally. The reporting was never that President Trump named that U.S. ally, but that it would not be that difficult to determine who shared the information with the U.S., that President Trump was passing on to the Russians.

So, I think we can play a little bit of President Trump mentioning that today. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Just so you understand, I never mentioned the word or the name, Israel. Never mentioned it during that conversation, and they're all saying I did. So, you had to know the story wrong. Never mentioned the word, Israel.

(CROSSTALK)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MURRAY: So, you see that President Trump reviving what was a big controversy back at home, obviously a sensitive issue when it comes to sharing intelligence with the Israelis, all on a trip where his advisers were hoping to turn the page, leave those kind of controversies, that kind of chaos behind him.

I'm pretty clear, Wolf, that he cannot leave those things behind, even as he is in the midst of this very ambitious foreign trip.

BLITZER: And set the scene for us. Any moment now, Sara, we're going to hear from the prime minister of Israel, the president of the United States. They'll be making joint statements.

You're looking at live pictures coming in from Jerusalem. There you see the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and his wife. They're getting ready to receive the president. I assume the first lady will be there as well. What do we anticipate? Just statements or will they answer reporters' questions as well?

MURRAY: Well, we are anticipating statements from them. It'll be interesting to see if they focus mainly on the Mid-East peace process. That's what President Trump has largely been focused on in his remarks throughout Israel, talking about the Israelis and the Palestinians share a common enemy in Iran and he believes that should bring both sides to the table toward a Mid-East peace agreement.

But also, they have now had this private meeting after both Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Trump brought up this sensitive intelligence issue. It'll be interesting to see if they say anything more on that.

BLITZER: All right.

MURRAY: And then, as you pointed out, Wolf, they head to dinner privately with their wives.

BLITZER: They're walking in right now. The president and the first lady. They're going to be, I guess, signing a little welcome book for the arrival there.

[13:05:03] This is the prime minister's residence in Jerusalem, I believe.

Let's listen in.

(INAUDIBLE)

BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, PRIME MINISTER, ISRAEL (live): But thanks to you we can paint the wall. We've got the budget to paint the wall.

(INAUDIBLE.)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: You both look fantastic. (INAUDIBLE.)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (INAUDIBLE.)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: This has been a very successful house.

BENJAMIN NETANYAHU: We've been here (INAUDIBLE.) Before that. Before that.

This is a gift from us to you.

TRUMP: Oh, wow.

BENJAMIN NETANYAHU: It's a bible from the -- from 150 years ago. It's 150-year-old bible in English. And it describes what happened here. It all took place here.

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: That is really beautiful. Thank you.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I would be very happy to take this bible with you. (INAUDIBLE.)

BENJAMIN NETANYAHU: It's a good book. It's the good book.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's the book.

BENJAMIN NETANYAHU: How should we do this? Can we -- should we have the (INAUDIBLE) here and then we'll switch.

Oh, OK. Now, should we do one for the invitation (ph). One? Or maybe (INAUDIBLE) if you come here. If you're here, we're done. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: All right. Now again.

BENJAMIN NETANYAHU: That's it. Oh, yes? OK. Thank you. (INAUDIBLE) --

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Will we be doing a speech out here (ph)?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (INAUDIBLE.)

BENJAMIN NETANYAHU: This is Sarah and Derik (ph). Have you seen them?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, hi, Derik.

BENJAMIN NETANYAHU: That's the son-in-law and that's the son. This is our boy.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you are everything you're doing.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Honored to meet you. Honored to meet you.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hello. Nice to meet you. I'm a big, big fan of both of you.

BENJAMIN NETANYAHU: Here's another one.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I hear about you from my mother. She talks about you all the time.

MELANIA TRUMP, FIRST LADY, UNITED STATES: Oh, she's fantastic.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (INAUDIBLE.)

(CROSSTALK)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He writes me and I (INAUDIBLE.)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: A copy of the -- the only copy of the (INAUDIBLE.)

UNIDENTNFIED MALE: Thank you so much. Thank you so much.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And I can relate a lot to what the baron is going through because I've been in his age in my dad's first term.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. (INAUDIBLE.)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: And look how he turns out.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I know.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's very hard. It's very hard. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You know, and maybe he -- after your election (INAUDIBLE.) He's a child. You know? A child. He doesn't have any, like, tools or (INAUDIBLE.) He's just a child.

BENJAMIN NETANYAHU: Yes, he was here the first time when he was six.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE) when I was three years old.

BENJAMIN NETANYAHU: OK. They're waiting for us outside. So, we're going to give you a 60-second tour. Sixty seconds.

SARA NETANYAHU, FIRST LADY, ISRAEL: (INAUDIBLE.) This is from 2,000 to 5,000 years ago. (INAUDIBLE.) It shows you the (INAUDIBLE.)

[13:10:04] BENJAMIN NETANYAHU: (INAUDIBLE) 5,000 years ago.

SARA NETANYAHU: And this is a necklace (INAUDIBLE) 5,000 years ago.

BLITZER: All right. So, you see the prime minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, and his wife, Mrs. Netanyahu, welcoming the president of the United States and the first lady of the United States to the residence -- the prime minister's residence in Jerusalem.

We still do anticipate that the prime minister and the president will be making statements. We're told fairly soon. But they're still going through a little tour of the prime minister's residence.

Sara, based on what we know, we still anticipate statements before they actually sit down for dinner at the residence. Is that right?

MURRAY: Yes, that's right. You see the podium set up there. That would give us an indication that they are going to speak again. I think we heard a little bit more than we expected from them earlier when they were meeting at the King David Hotel, and they were speaking about Israeli intelligence.

They've now had some time to meet privately. So, we will see, again, what comes up as they both give their statements, if they're predominantly talking about trying to move toward a Mid-East peace deal. If the possibility of moving the embassy comes up again. Something White House advisors made clear the president does not plan to do immediately, move the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Something he promised on the campaign trail.

And, again, whether this issue of President Trump sharing sensitive Israeli intelligence with Russians comes up in these statements. But, Wolf, it's worth pointing out that all sides of this wanted this visit to go well, wanted this meeting to go well. So, what we may hear are two glowing statements about what a wonderful day they all had together and how they're all committed to reaching a peace agreement.

Of course, as you know, this is something that has been thwarting presidents for decades, trying to reach this Mid-East peace agreement. So, it's one thing for all these parties to indicate they have a willingness to come to the table to talk about it. An entirely different thing to actually reach an agreement. And this is just day one for the president in meeting with sides on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Tomorrow, he is slated to meet with President Abbas of the Palestinian authority and speak much more about this.

So, a very jam packed schedule for President Trump here abroad.

BLITZER: And we'll stand by to hear from the president of the United States and the prime minister of Israel, momentarily we're told. They'll go to the microphone there and make their respective statements. We'll see if they answer any questions from reporters.

Elise Labott is our Global Affairs Correspondent. She's with us. John Kirby is CNN's Military and Diplomatic Analyst, a former State Department and Pentagon spokesman.

John, this is all -- you've been there. You've done it. All very, very choreographed. Every symbolic step potentially could have diplomatic ramifications.

REAR ADM. JOHN KIRBY (retired), CNN MILITARY AND DIPLOMATIC ANALYST: Especially in this -- in this part of the world, where everything is so hyper-sensitive. So, yes, a very, very well-scripted day, just from the appearances of it. Not at all surprised that it is so cast in such positive terms.

And I do think Sara is right. I think when they go to the podium, we're going to hear about what a great day it was and how both leaders are looking forward to moving the bilateral relationship between the United States and Israel forward in a very constructive, positive way.

BLITZER: He became the first sitting United States president, Elise, to actually visit the western wall in the old city of Jerusalem. And, symbolically, that's significant.

ELISE LABOTT, CNN GLOBAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: It is. President Obama went as a candidate. But now, for President Trump to go as a sitting president is very significant.

But there was a little bit of controversy surrounding this because, A, the Israelis wanted Prime Minister Netanyahu to go with him. And the United States said, no. The White House said, no, we'd like him to go alone. And that feeds into the whole controversy about whether the U.S. considers the western wall, which is one of the holiest sites in Jerusalem, to be part of the Israel.

And so, you know, there was a lot of back and forth from the administration about whether it considered it part of Jerusalem, part of Israel. And I think this is what is, you know, clouding this whole visit about what the administration's position is on Jerusalem.

This feeds into the whole idea of moving the embassy. It's a very delicate subject. The U.S. and Israel have to have very sensitive conversations.

But I don't think the president is ready to have that level of specificity in the conversation yet.

KIRBY: I think what you're seeing here are his promises now running smack dab into politics.

LABOTT: Exactly.

KIRBY: Geo-politics. And that's where it gets tough.

[13:15:01] LABOTT: And finding out how complicated this is.

KIRBY: Yes.

LABOTT: You remember, President Trump said, oh, I think it's really easy to solve Middle East peace. A lot easier than most people think. He's going to find, over these next two days, just how complicated --

BLITZER: Yes.

LABOTT: -- this issue is.

BLITZER: Yes.

KIRBY: Don't forget, tomorrow he meets with President Abbas in Bethlehem, where he will hear a very different set of circumstances and have to address a different set of concerns. It will be interesting to see what is said after that meeting.

BLITZER: The meeting with President Abbas in Bethlehem in the West Bank, not far from - really just outside of Jerusalem, will be significant because the president, President Trump believes there is a moment right now, there is an opportunity, given all of the concern of the moderate Arab states right now as far as Iran is concerned, maybe they can all get their act together and come up with some sort of Israeli-Palestinian peace deal.

KIRBY: Yes, I know that's what he says, but I think, again, back where, you know, back to having politics smack you right in the face, I mean don't forget the domestic politics in Israel. There are rumors that Netanyahu is vulnerable, that there may even be rumblings of maybe elections this year. The last thing that Prime Minister Netanyahu is going to want to do is alienate his base. And one of the fastest ways you can do that is by jumping head long into renewed negotiations or talking about a two-state solution.

Look, the prime minister has worked very hard and so far - we'll see what they say - effectively gotten President Trump not to talk about the two-state solution, not to talk about an independent Palestinian state, and also not to talk about settlements. So, again, it will be interesting to see what they say here. I guarantee you that if he is able to keep the president from talking about those things today, it's going to be much more difficult for President Trump not to talk about those things tomorrow.

LABOTT: But, don't forget, this is the second time he's met with President Abbas in a month, OK? And up until now he's only really seen the conflict from an Israeli lens. And now that he's meeting Abbas and learning more about the Palestinian story -

KIRBY: Yes.

LABOTT: Tomorrow when he goes to Bethlehem, he's going to be seeing that wall snaking through the Bethlehem/Palestinian territory.

BLITZER: It looks like the president and the prime minister walking into that room. Well, there's the first lady of the United States, Mrs. Netanyahu walking in as well, the wife of the prime minister of Israel. You heard her speaking as part of that tour was going on of the prime minister's residence.

But let's listen in because the president and the prime minister are being introduced.

[13:17:24] UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Donald Trump and the prime minister of the state of Israel, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu.

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Thank you.

BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER: President Trump, Donald, Sara and I are absolutely delighted to welcome you and Melania to the prime minister's residence in Jerusalem, the eternal capital of the Jewish people, the united capital of the Jewish state.

NETANYAHU: We've known each other for many years, and it's always good to see you. But it's also wonderful to see the blossoming friendship between our two beautiful wives, Sara and Melania.

You're so welcome here and we're so pleased to see you. We're honored to have you in our home.

You've been today, Mr. President, to the Western Wall, one of the holiest sites of Judaism. You've been to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, one of the holiest sites of Christianity.

We protect the Christian sites as no one else does anywhere in this region. We protect Christian sites, Muslim sites, obviously Jewish sites. We're committed to the freedom of all faiths and to the rights of all.

Mr. President, I appreciate the fact that you went to the Western Wall and you're the first acting president who's done that. The people of Israel applaud you for it.

(LAUGHTER)

We had a terrific discussion today. And when I say "terrific," it encompasses everything. We could talk about deregulation. We could talk about economics. I think we quote each other. We understand each other and so much of the things that we wish to accomplish for both our countries.

But I want to thank you especially today for your deep commitment to Israel's security, its wellbeing and its future.

I have no doubt that as we work together, you and I, the alliance between our countries will grow ever stronger.

I want you to know how much we appreciate the change in American policy on Iran which you enunciated so clearly just an hour ago.

NETANYAHU: I want you to know how much we appreciate your bold decision to act against the use of chemical weapons in Syria.

And I want to tell you also how much we appreciate the reassertion of American leadership in the Middle East.

I look forward to working closely with you to confront the dangers we face together in this violent and volatile Middle East. I believe that together we can roll back Iran's march of aggression and terror in this region, and we can thwart Iran's unbridled ambition to become a nuclear weapon state.

I also look forward to working closely with you to advance peace in our region. Because you have noted so succinctly that common dangers are turning former enemies into partners, and that's where we see something new and potentially something very promising.

It won't be simple, but for the first time in many years -- and, Mr. President, for the first time in my lifetime -- I see a real hope for change. The Arab leaders who you met yesterday could help change the atmosphere and they could help create the conditions for a realistic peace.

These are all great signs on your historic visit. It's a visit that has echoed down the ages, because the great Abraham Lincoln is reported to have said that there was no city on Earth he so much desired to see as Jerusalem. Well, Mr. President, Donald, there's no city on Earth where you are more welcome than right here with us in Jerusalem.

Welcome to Jerusalem. Welcome to Israel.

(APPLAUSE)

TRUMP: Thank you very much.

And it's a great honor to be with my good friend, Prime Minister Netanyahu, and of course Sara.

And also thank you for that beautiful tour. Melania's still talking about it. Thank you very much.

You honored me and Melania by being one of the first world leaders to visit the White House, as you know. And we had a very good and sound discussion.

And now you honor us again by welcoming us to your home on my first trip abroad as the president of the United States.

This is a land filled with beauty, wonder and the spirit of God. I've been amazed by the glorious and beautiful monuments and holy sites and the generosity of your incredible people. NETANYAHU: Thank you.

TRUMP: Because it's all about the people.

I was deeply moved by my visit today to the Western Wall. Words fail to capture the experience. It will leave an impression on me forever.

Today, we reaffirm the unbreakable bond of friendship between Israel and the United States. A friendship built on our shared love of freedom, our shared belief in human dignity, and our shared hope for an Israel at lasting peace. We want Israel to have peace.

But we are more than friends. We are great allies.

We have so many opportunities in front of us, but we must seize them together. We must take advantage of the situation.

And there are many, many things that can happen now that would never have been able to happen before. And we understand that very well.

That includes advancing prosperity, defeating the evils of terrorism, and facing the threat of an Iranian regime that is threatening the region and causing so much violence and suffering.

During my travels, I have seen many hopeful signs that lead me to believe that we can truly achieve a more peaceful future for this region and for people of all faiths and all beliefs and, frankly, all over the world.

TRUMP: In my visit to Saudi Arabia, I met with many leaders of the Arab and Muslim world, including King Salman, who treated us so beautifully and really wants to see great things happen for the world. He really does. I got to know him well and he really does.

These leaders voice concerns we all share about ISIS, about Iran's rising ambitions and rolling back its gains, and about the menace of extremism that has spread through too many parts of the Muslim world.

I'm encouraged that they pledge cooperation to confront terrorism and the hateful ideologies that drives it so hard. America welcomes the action and support of any nation willing to do the hard but vital work in eradicating the violent ideologies that have caused so much needless bloodshed and killing here and all over the world.

We are willing to work together. I believe that a new level of partnership is possible and will happen, one that will bring greater safety to this region, greater security to the United States and greater prosperity to the world.

This includes a renewed effort at peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians, and I thank the prime minister for his commitment to pursuing the peace process. He's working very hard at it. It's not easy. I've heard it's one of the toughest deals of all, but I have a feeling that we're going to get there eventually. I hope.

I'm certain we will have very productive discussions. And we're going to have very productive discussions, in my opinion, with the leaders of other nations also. And I feel strongly about that. Because there's a lot of love out there, and people from all nations, even nations that you would be surprised to hear, they want to stop the killing. They've had enough.

America stands ready to assist in every way we can. Our deep and lasting friendship will only grow deeper and stronger as we work together in the days ahead.

I thank you again for hosting us in this beautiful and ancient land. Truly it's a land of wonders and it's my honor to be here with you.

Sara, thank you.

Bibi, thank you. I appreciate it very much. Great honor. Thank you.

NETANYAHU: Thank you.

(APPLAUSE)

NETANYAHU: Where would you like us to stand?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There.

NETANYAHU: There.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (INAUDIBLE).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you very much.

TRUMP: Thank you. Thank you very much.

NETANYAHU: Thank you. Thank you.

BLITZER: So there you heard the very strong statements from the prime minister of Israel, the president of the United States, both of them expressing hope, even some optimism from President Trump, that a peace deal between the Israelis and the Palestinians potentially is possible. The president saying, "I have a feeling we're going to get there eventually, I hope."

I want to go right to our senior White House correspondent, Jim Acosta, who's traveling with the president in Jerusalem right now.

Jim, give us your analysis of what we just heard from these two leaders.

JIM ACOSTA, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, I think you heard the president sum it up right there. He said that Middle East peace he's heard is one of the toughest deals of all. The art of the deal comes to the holy land is what it sounds like from the president there, Wolf. He is hoping and he's placed his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, a senior adviser to the president, in this position in hopes of reaching some kind of Middle East peace deal. The White House is not under any impression, Wolf, that that's going to happen on this trip, but they're certainly hoping to set the table with that. [13:29:56] And one of the ways that they're doing that, Wolf, and

we've heard this over the last 48 hours, when the president was in Saudi Arabia, and now that he's in - in Israel, he is sort of playing the game of, the enemy of the enemy is my friend. He was talking in Saudi Arabia about the threat posed by Iran and, lo and behold, he arrives in Jerusalem after --