berlin. cuba has a new president. is a change in name only? cuba swears in it new president miguel diaz-canel. the new leader emphasizing the word continuity today, vowing to continue the revolution led by fidel castro more than 60 ears ago. also coming up, eyewitnesses and a viral video now the suspect in an anti-semitic attack has handed himself into berlin police. he is a teenage asylum seeker that arrived from germany -- to germany from syria. israel turns 70. as the nation celebrates its founding, the prime minister calls on israelis to make sacrifices to ensure the

country's future safety. ♪ brent: i'm brent goff, it is good to have you with us. cuba has a new president, and his name is not castro. president miguel diaz-canel was sworn in today, and he will hold up the legacy of the country's revolution first led by fidel castro six decades ago. diaz-canel is the hand-picked successor to raul castro, and critics warn that any change beyond the name of the president looks tonight very unlikely. reporter: handing over the presidency but not complete power. after almost 60 years of rule of the castro brothers, cuba has a new leader, miguel could promise

-- promise to the national assembly he would carry on the socialist revolution. >> i assume the responsibility for which i have been elected with the conviction that all of the cuban revolutionaries from whichever position we hold, we will be faithful to the legacy of the commander in chief, fidel castro, historic leader, and the teachings of general raul castro. reporter: the outgoing president will remain the head of the communist party for three years, consolidating his own power, but the 86-year-old told the party that he sees diaz-canel as his eventual successor. >> once his 10 year presidential term is over and three years remaining until the congress, he will become the first secretary of the communist party. reporter: watching the

presidential handover at their home in havana, these humans believe the 57-year-old diaz-canel is what the country needs. >> it was a good choice. he is young and innovative with a different perspective. reporter: but on the streets, not everyone is convinced much will change. >> it is all the same to me. whoever is good for the country and the people. reporter: miguel diaz-canel is a conscious choice for a cautious country. that appears to be exactly what the old guard wants. brent: to pick up the story now, joined by john torres. he is in miami tonight. good to have you on the show. you are a human rights activist and advocate. what are you thinking when you see what is happening today in havana? is a transition of power or just more of the same? >> more of the same.

i will take president miguel diaz-canel at his words. let me repeat what he said. i affirm to this assembly that comrade rowell -- raul will lead the decisions. he remains at the front of the political vanguard. as the head of the communist party, he is the guiding light in society but besides that, raul castro also has his son who oversees the intelligence apparatus, a la hydro castro who is a kernel, who was the point person -- alejandro castro who is a colonel. and then he has his son-in-law who runs the economy with the conglomerate known as the controls. that is 85% of the economy. he has his daughter who is in a key position within the national

assembly. it remains a family enterprise. brent: so you say it is not the castro's giving up or receiving power at all. john: it is not, and is not the first time. between 1959 and 1976 cuba had a president that wasn't named castro. that did not in any way limit the absolute power of the castro brothers to do what they wanted to do in cuba. brent: let me play devil's advocate. from where your sitting in miami , you were at the epicenter of the cuban diaspora, all the exiles, many of them are still there to this day. we know they are not a friend of the castro regime, but perhaps mr. diaz-canel, perhaps he is the trigger that is needed to take power away from the castro's and to bring in some type of democratic if not a revolution, and evolution.

do you think that is possible that? john: sadly we have seen in the past when other outside experts have thought a new young figure in the cuban regime could be a potential change maker. we saw that with the past foreign minister and the previous vice president. in both of those cases, when they were viewed by the castro's as being a change maker, they were gotten rid of area they were purged. the the one young man went missing from his missing -- went missing from his post. then he appeared at his home as a painter and had no role in public life. brent: do you think a similar fate could await mr. diaz-canel if he gets out of line? i will admit to you i was researching him a lot yesterday because up until yesterday or the day before, i had not heard of a man.

do you think his future is one that if he gets out of line he could be punished? it looks like we have lost the signal. can you hear me? john: i can hear you. i want to say as far as i am concerned which is the area of human rights, we see on a weekly basis ladies in white mother women demanding the release of political prisoners beaten down in the streets. we have seen prisoners of conscious. and the cuban people are backing some of these political listeners like the national coordinator for the christian admiration movement. he has been in prison since november 30 2016 for advocating one man, one vote in cuba and

giving a critical assessment of the castro legacy. 10,000 cubans signed a petition requesting his release in the past month. that petition was wrapped up by state security along with presented into the cuban government, but there is that desire to see an improvement on the human rights situation and greater political freedoms by cubans in the island. brent: before we run out of time, the future for this new president, i was asking you before the connection was lost, do you think mr. diaz-canel, should he be fearful if he tries to get out of line politically with the castro's? john: yes. he knows that very well. there is a long history of careers of people who fought or started to think they could do something and were usually gotten rid of before they had a chance to do that. brent: all right, john suarez joining us from miami. thank you. we appreciate your insights. john: thank you.

brent: in berlin of the suspects in an alleged anti-semitic attack has turned himself in to police. he was filmed attacking two young men who wore jewish style skullcaps. those men told dw news they were wearing the kippahs because they wanted to show an israeli friend it is safe to do so. but a teenage asylum seeker from syria had other ideas. >> with this video the alleged attacker address to the outcry. a friend announced that kanaan wants to turn himself in to police. they comes after the suspect was filmed assaulting an israeli arab on the streets of berlin. he yelled jim in arabic -- jew in arabic. he lives in a refugee center. in the past year berlin has seen several anti-semitic incidents like this one with palestinians

and their supporters demonstrating against israel. protesters made anti-semitic statements and burned an israeli flag. the berlin-based initiative against anti-semitism visits schools to explain the subject including to students with immigrant backgrounds. they worn as seeing anti-semitic attacks as specifically muslim. >> there is a specific group among muslims who are anti-semitic. sometimes like in the present case they act in a particularly hateful way, but i think we should not stigmatize muslims. rather we should try to convince them to fight against anti-semitism. everything else is counterproductive. reporter: berlin has one of the largest arabic and muslim populations in germany. dw found mixed reactions among the community. >> i am happy to live with christians and jews and muslims

together, but the jews in palestine are occupiers. >> not all jews occupy palestine. what does a boy who was born a jew have to do with it? >> we can't trust social media. there has to be an investigation. if they find the palestinians that did this, then i reject that as a muslim. reporter: the case has left many jews wondering if they are safe in berlin. brent: here is a look at the other stories making headlines around the world. a parliamentary debate in senegal descended into chaos. look at these. amid anger over proposed changes to the country's electoral law. opposition says the changes will make it impossible for little-known candidates to run for president. they were also protesting outside. police fired tear gas and arrested a former prime minister. the french president emmanuel

macron and angela merkel held talks over reforming the eurozone. macron is pushing for greater economic integration but merkel is skeptical of his proposals. they are hoping to reach a compromise ahead of an e.u. summit scheduled for june. no criminal charges will be filed in the death of pop star prince. following a two-year investigation, prosecutors say there is no evidence of pills which killed prints were prescribed by a doctor. he died in 2017 of an accidental opioid overdose. we remember that sad day. helen is here now. they say the economy is heading for strong growth? helen: spring is in the air in washington which does not necessarily mean challenge -- cherry blossoms. it means that meeting of the international monetary fund and the world bank. they had been holding their spring meeting in do you see,

and both organizations are predicting strong growth for a global economy this year. christine lagarde predicted growth of 3.9%, the fastest rate in three years while the short-term outlook is out beat. -- is upbeat, there are dangers on the horizon. reporter: the imf chief focusing on crumbling business confidence and gloomy projections while world bank president jim yong kim saw the climate as an opportunity to spread the money around. >> the challenge is to ensure strong growth will translate into inclusive growth so the benefits of global economic integration part enjoyed by all members of society. reporter: but the ongoing trade spat an lackluster productivity could ruin the upswing by as soon as 2020 christine lagarde warned. then there is this. >> debt is at an all-time high. his stands at $164 trillion,

which is 225% of gdp of which the private sector accounts for two thirds. public debt in advanced economies is at levels not seen since the first -- the second world war. reporter: the lenders are clear, short-term the global economy is looking up. without immediate action stagnation and instability by ahead beyond the next couple of years. helen: resistance to u.s. tariffs is growing. china and the e.u. are joined by russia in challenging that. there using the same strategy by invoking the wto's safeguards agreement. this requires a country to compensate other countries by granting them lower tariffs on other exports. the u.s. lames these are needed on national security grounds. facebook wants to put the data

of 1.5 billion users out of the scope of the e.u.'s plans privacy law. this would restrict what companies can do with other people's data. the moment, facebook users are governed by terms agreed with the headquarters in ireland. that is where european users' data will remain but not those from africa, australia, latin america. the social network is keen to reduce exposure to the law which allows european regulators define companies for -- to fine companies for using data without consent. drought has been a serious problem for years in south africa, so much that in recent months cape town declared a state of emergency. their activities like watering the lawn, washing cars or even filling swimming pools are banned. they can lead to hefty fines should people do so but it is not only the cities that are suffering as a result of the lack of water. agriculture is affected.

reporter: he drives through a citrus plantation. hasn't seen proper rain for quite some time. 27,500 trees on these fields need water. otherwise they will dry up. if that happens, he will go bankrupt. that is why he is invested in new ideas to save water. >> below the trees, so it keeps the soil moist. you can see my finger is going in. it is nice and wet. but when i do it here, it is too hot. the climate is very good underneath here. then you save a lot of water. you don't have to integrate that much. reporter: but is not enough. it is hundred kilometers of drip irrigation tubes so that all of history's can get at least some water. his trees can get some water.

a citrus tree needs to leaders per day. >> you will lose size because there is not enough water to the citrus will be smaller. if they are smaller, your volume is smaller. then you lose on profit. that makes a big difference. reporter: the western cape region is affected by the drought. experts estimate losses of almost $500 million in the agricultural sector. the vegetable harvest almost half. more than 50,000 farmworkers have lost their jobs. many fields are lying fallow. this festival harvest almost completely fell through. >> the sun burns it when it gets too hot and doesn't have enough water. the sun burns it. then you can't use it. have to throw it away. we give it to the fix. reporter: up in the valley is a

dam. it supplies the whole region with water. it is only at the 11% mark now. if it doesn't rain soon, there will not be enough water for crops. that would be a catastrophe. he carries on as well as he can for now. he has not let go of any of his farmworkers yet because those who work for him are the sole providers for their families. it is harvest time at the moment, but the packaging building is not busy. >> we are only packing what we have. we couldn't plant any more veggies, so in a week's time, i don't know. reporter: he has lost $50,000 u.s. in revenues from vegetables alone. he hopes the coming winter will finally bring rain. helen: back to brent now and big day in israel. brent: israel is celebrating its

70th anniversary of independence with events across the country. prime minister intimate netanyahu began the day by inspecting this honor guard. he praised his country's achievements but that israelis will need to make sacrifices to ensure their security in the future. festivities began at sundown yesterday with a lavish show in jerusalem. as the nation unites to mark this milestone, sharp divisions remain in israeli society. disagreement is the best over the issue of settlements in the occupied west bank. dw's tania kramer travel to the settlement of -- for the israeli political rights, such outposts are achievements. for the left they are a blight on the nation's conscience. reporter: this town is deep in the occupied west bank, 60

families in this is legal bill -- in this illegal area. this person moved here seven years ago with his family. it is situated in the middle of an area where palestinians want to establish their state. >> seven years ago there was nothing here. it is a real symbol for israel. these grapevines right here shows belief, coming back here, we are home. more come home every year. we are growing. tania: he calls this land judaica and samaria as it was known in the bible and claims it is jewish lands. according to international law the settments in the occupied territories are illegal. they are set to be one of the main obstacles to a two-state solution. in the center of tel aviv is demonstration against the israeli government's occupation

policy. leftist organizations called for the protest. they are also protesting the use of snipers in recent demonstratio at the ga border at the beginning of april. >> there is a lot of fear. a lot of israelis are fearing from this vision of two states. they think it is going to harm israel are going to delete. reporter: on the other side of the street a few members of the ultra-right movement trying to disturb the protest. in the past few years israel has seen a significant move to the political right. this person calls herself a left-leaning activist and said it is not good to be on the left anymore. she would like to keep the public to be alive on issues regarding peace with the palestinians and the two state solution. >> the message we send on these demonstrations is that we must have peace. we need to fight this piece.

this situation does not revise. tania: the activities are posted on social media and internet platforms hoping it will have some influence on other israelis. young israelis are not interested in a two-state illusion. they are convinced of the settlements are for the security of israel. >> military school you learn if you are sitting on the mountain you are protecting the valley. this whole area of judah is the mountain. the whole area of tel aviv is the valleys. you sit here, you protect the cities and the valleys area if you don't sit here, you are not protecting. tania: a new settlement has been built not far from here sanctioned by the government for settlers forced to leave their outpost. different realities, different points of view, 70 years after the founding of the state of israel, the visions for the future could hardly be more

different. brent: so the conversation continues. i am joined by rabbi marvin hyer . he is the founder and dean of one of the world's foremost jewish rights agencies in los angeles. it is good to have you on the program. 70 years of israeli independence. what does this anniversary mean to you? >> it means the world for jews. we remember 70 years ago out of the camps with no place to go, millions perished. no families. and today we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the creation of the state of israel. had there been a state of israel during the hiller -- hitler regime, he never would have gotten away with the crematorium

because the state of israel would have bombed the tracks to auschwitz which the allies did not bomb. let me make a comment by watching carefully your broadcast. the two state solution, i am a believer. but the world has fooled itself. we all know that before us right now is a three state solution. the palestinians of gaza don't talk and agree with the palestinians over here. israel would have to be committed for psychiatric treatment to agree to a three state sotion. there will never be peace. the greatest mistake made in the middle east was when bishop tutu and jimmy carter supervised the election in gaza. what do we get in return? hamas, who calls for the total destruction of israel.

hamas despises machmoud abbas area they will never reach an agreement or you have two separate palestinian state, israel in the middle like an accordion. no israeli leader will ever agree to a -- brent: what is the solution? we know the problem. what is the solution? >> the solution is -- here is the solution. an international condemnation of hamas calling for the total removal of hamas from the gaza immediately. once hamas vacates the government of gaza, they disappear because the international community forces them out. then you allow negotiations on the israeli right.

they will be forced to accept a viable two state solution with one palestinian state and a jewish state. so as long as hamas is in gaza, we will be talking about this for another century. brent: before we run out of time, this solution, this approach, do you see the trump administration being a catalyst to make that a reality? brent: frankly -- >> frankly yes, but where is europe? why doesn't europe say listen here, hamas. you are calling for the destruction of israel. we won't say for it. europe with the united states says hamas, you must leave gaza. if you do not leave gaza, we agree with the state of israel that if they have to, they review by force.

because you are committed to the destruction of the state of israel. brent: unfortunately we are out of time but please come back on the show and talk with us again. joining us from the simon wiesenthal center. thank you for joining us. >> thank you. brent: after a short break of a short break i will be back to take you through the day. ♪ [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. visit ncicap.org] ♪

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