Mideast Accusations Fly on Nightline Ted Koppel was forced ino the role of mediator when the director of the building where his Nightline show was to be taped protested the presence of his Israeli guests' armed bodyguards. So far, at least 90 people have been killed and thousands more injured. Chazan was joined at the Israeli table by Deputy Defense Minister Ephraim Sneh and Jerusalem Mayor Ehud Olmert. Palestinian peace negotiator Saeb Erekat, Israeli-Arab parliament member Azmi Bishara and Palestinian legislator Hanan Ashrawi comprised the Palestinian panel.
Israeli security insists on having weapons.
We are still trying to find a compromise. Koppel worked out a solution that resulted in the bodyguards waiting outside. When the meeting finally got under way after a two-hour delay, the panelists accused one another of distorting the facts and patience wore thin. Panel members, determined to have their voices heard, yelled over one another. This most recent Nightline town meeting in Jerusalem reunited participants from previous broadcasts from the holy city.