Paris, France – Obama, Sarkozy Caught On Open Mic Grumbling About Netanyahu

    27

    epa02996192 (FILE) A file picture dated 03 November 2011 shows French President Nicolas Sarkozy (L) as he welcomes US President Obama to the G20 Summit in Cannes, France. Media reports state on 08 November 2011 that a private exchange between French President Nicolas Sarkozy and US President Barack Obama about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was overheard by journalists during the last G20 Summit in Cannes, France, which could lead to a diplomatic row.  EPA/STEFAN ROUSSEAUParis, France – French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who has labored to improve French relations with Israel, said he “can’t stand” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and called him a liar in a conversation with President Barack Obama.

    Join our WhatsApp group

    Subscribe to our Daily Roundup Email


    The conversation between Sarkozy and Obama was overheard by reporters last week at the Group of 20 summit in southern France, via headsets that were to be used for simultaneous translation of an upcoming news conference.

    Obama, whose remarks were heard via a French translation, was not heard objecting to Sarkozy’s characterization of Netanyahu. Through the interpreter, Obama was heard asking Sarkozy to help persuade the Palestinians to stop their efforts to gain U.N. recognition of a Palestinian state.

    Several French-speaking journalists, including one from The Associated Press, overheard the comments but did not initially report them because staff members of Sarkozy’s office had asked the journalists not to turn on the headsets until the press conference began, and the comments were deemed private under French media traditions.

    A French website that analyzes media coverage of current affairs, Arret sur images, reported the fragments Tuesday.

    Sarkozy’s office would not comment Tuesday on the remarks, or on France’s relations with Israel. The White House and Netanyahu’s spokesman also said they had no comment.

    In the remarks Thursday in Cannes, Sarkozy said: “Netanyahu, I can’t stand him. He’s a liar.”

    According to the French interpreter, Obama responded: “You are sick of him, but I have to work with him every day.”

    The journalists heard only fragments of the leaders’ conversation.

    Since becoming president in 2007, Sarkozy has strengthened French ties with Israel while also seeking to use France’s traditional good relations with Arab allies to encourage peace talks.

    His latest comments reflect increasing frustration with Netanyahu in recent months, and may complicate French and European efforts toward Mideast peace.

    Sarkozy has shown little patience with Israeli hard-liners, and two years ago urged Netanyahu to fire his outspoken foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman. In a private meeting, Sarkozy told Netanyahu that “you must get rid of that man,” according to two officials.

    In September of this year, the French leader tried to head off the Palestinians’ request for membership in the United Nations with a last-minute effort to revive peace talks.

    But France then surprised Washington and other observers by voting last week in favor of membership for Palestine in UNESCO, the U.N. cultural and educational agency.


    Listen to the VINnews podcast on:

    iTunes | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Podbean | Amazon

    Follow VINnews for Breaking News Updates


    Connect with VINnews

    Join our WhatsApp group


    27 Comments
    Most Voted
    Newest Oldest
    Inline Feedbacks
    View all comments
    MidwesternGuy
    MidwesternGuy
    12 years ago

    And Obama complained about having to deal with Netanyahu on a daily basis.

    The liberals will defend this by saying that Obama just hates Netanyahu, not Israel. But we all know the truth. Both Obama and the French (true ideological soulmates, after all) hate Israel.

    How many more examples do we need?

    Right about now, Obama is hoping that Cain’s next accuser comes out soon. If not, the press might have some fun with this.

    12 years ago

    The two most important parts of the story are “According to the report, Obama replied: “You’re fed up with him, but I have to deal with him every day!”’ and then the cover up “A member of the media confirmed Monday that “there were discussions between journalists and they agreed not to publish the comments due to the sensitivity of the issue.””

    eighthcomment
    eighthcomment
    12 years ago

    When the two immature Chamberlain like leaders experience a barrage of rockets on their countries than maybe they’ll understand the leadership qualities of Bibi…

    Sherree
    Sherree
    12 years ago

    He’s going down baby, he’s going down.

    Torahjew
    Torahjew
    12 years ago

    How will the liberal Jews explain this? next November vote anyone but obama

    12 years ago

    Its quite likely that Natanyahu has not been entirely truthful with Sarkozy, but as the Wikleaks cables showed, neither was Obama.

    12 years ago

    Little children…playing with power.
    It’s good that hashem runs the world, so we don’t need to fear these petty ‘rulers’.

    pbalaw
    pbalaw
    12 years ago

    I was waiting for a story to explain why Obama Left the country yesterday, now I know

    PMOinFL
    PMOinFL
    12 years ago

    Can someone please explain to me where Obama says he “hates” Netanyahu? Am I missing the words? I don’t see anything from Obama that seems out of the ordinary in normal conversation and is no way an expression of “hatred”.

    You have to make some pretty big leaps to get to the point of “Obama hates Netanyahu” here.

    Does Sarkozy hate Netanyahu? It would seem pretty clear that he does. The fact that Obama doesn’t defend Netanyahu in this instance is proof of nothing. The two men were getting ready for a press conference and this was not the place for a protracted discussion about it.

    It is amazing to me how the ignorant masses can build such mountains out of molehills.

    marcia
    marcia
    12 years ago

    Do you really think either one of them believe this will be a big deal? The only people who are emboldened by these statements are the enemies of Israel! Obama will not even address that this was said and it will go away by tomorrow.

    12 years ago

    A leopard does not change its spots. Obama has even less regard for Netanyahu than does Sarkozy. At one time, the French supplied EY with Mirage jets. Now, they supply them with bupkis. DeGaulle severed the close relationship with EY; however, France has paid dearly with its close ties with the Arabs. Its population has been flooded with hundreds of thousands of Muslims, who have not integrated into French society. Several years ago, there were Muslim riots in France, and Sarkozy was not too complimentary towards the Muslim rioters. Hence, he sometimes plays both sides of the fence. Obama can also not be trusted. Whereas he may have received 78% of the Jewish vote in 2008, next year, he will be lucky to receive 55%, if even that!

    SherryTheNoahide
    SherryTheNoahide
    12 years ago

    “If he hates Natenyahu, he also hates the people that voted him into power. By extension, he hates anyone that is for standing up to terrorists.”

    Um… wow! Bit of a strech, don’t ya think?! (lol) (:-D

    I don’t get it… what is the problem here?! The FRENCH President made the rude remark! Not Obama!

    What did Obama say that was so terrible?!?! He said “YOU [the french Prez) may hate him…but I must work with him every day.”

    Well… that’s the truth isnt it? Wasn’t he basically saying “Yes, I’m not fond of him myself, but it is what it is. I must work alongside him regardless.”

    And is that not an ADULT way to deal with the situation?! President Obama didn’t call him a “liar” or anything else! So calm down! (lol) Jeesh!

    Not to mention… Bibi DOES lie a lot sometimes! He says he won’t expand the settlements… and then he does. He says he’ll go “tough” on terrorists… but then he releases over 1,000 of the WORST ones, just to save one soldier! He’s put his own people at risk w\his nonsense. To say Bibi is ALWAYS truthful… isn’t reality!

    Not to mention… if you ask me: our President does a MUCH better job dealing w\terrorists than Bibi apparently does!

    zayin
    zayin
    12 years ago

    “The journalists heard only fragments of the leaders’ conversation.”

    im sure there was a LOT more racial and Anti-Semitic comments that the journalist is not mentioning

    Phineas
    Phineas
    12 years ago

    I don’t understand what the problem is. One of the reasons many of us respect and admire Netanyahu is that he is so hard to deal with. From Obama’s and Sarkozy’s perspectives, Netanyahu is a problem. Sarkozy has been a friend of Israel and IS ANYTHING BUT A LIBERAL. Check his time as Justice Minister. Obama and Sarkozy are probably describing Netanyahu pretty accurately which is why we support him.

    PMOinFL
    PMOinFL
    12 years ago

    Again… 17 comments and nobody has been able to tell me what Obama said against Netanyahu. Just a lot more whining from the ignorant masses who hate Obama because the Republican propagandists (Beck, Limbaugh, Hannity, Levin, etc.) tell them to. At least it is good for a laugh!

    12 years ago

    Now we know what’s in Obama’s kishkes.

    TannaKamma
    TannaKamma
    12 years ago

    Good sign, this means Netanyahu is doing something right…

    Butterfly
    Butterfly
    12 years ago

    This happened a few days ago and the French newspapers did not print it!! They wanted to “protect” Sarkozy!!

    SandraM
    SandraM
    12 years ago

    These comments stem from Obama’s unmitigated condescending arrogance.
    The good news for Obama is that the Frenchman is even more arrogant.

    12 years ago

    Little children…playing with power.
    It’s good that hashem runs the world, so we don’t need to fear these petty ‘rulers’.