Confirmed: Obama and Sarkozy Badmouthed Netanyahu at G20 Summit
Multiple news outlets have confirmed reports, which emerged last night, of an exchange between French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Barack Obama at last week’s G20 Summit in Cannes, during which Sarkozy called Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu a liar, and Obama appeared to sympathize.
The remarks were made during a private conversation that was overheard by journalists. The exchange wasn’t covered at the time, but was reported by a French website yesterday. A Reuters reporter was among the group who overheard the remarks, and Reuters is now confirming that the conversation took place.
Sarkozy is reported to have told Obama: “I cannot bear Netanyahu, he’s a liar.” The Reuters story paraphrases Obama’s response, but other reports have him replying: “You’re fed up with him, but I have to deal with him every day.”
Unless audio of the exchange emerges we can only speculate on the emphasis Obama employed, but I think we can safely assume that the stresses in the sentence were as follows:
“You’re fed up with him, but I have to deal with him every day.” (The Times adds an exclamation point.)
Obama’s response could be regarded as diplomatic. He did not explicitly agree with Sarkozy’s assertion that Netanyahu is a liar, but he didn’t disagree either. This doesn’t, of course, mean that Obama thinks the Israeli leader is a liar; he may simply have thought that, in the context of what he thought was a private conversation, there was no need to argue the point.
As for the substances of Obama’s reply it’s not particularly controversial: it’s no secret that relations between the President and the Prime Minister are strained to say the least after the Israeli leader put Obama straight about a few facts pertaining to the Israeli-Palestinian dispute during his visit to the US in May.
Both Obama and Sarkozy are beset by domestic problems (linked in large part to the Eurozone crisis in Sarkozy’s case), and both leaders are facing the prospect of defeat in elections next year. And they’re growing increasingly frustrated by Netanyahu’s understandable reluctance to hand them a foreign policy triumph by acceding to sufficient Palestinian demands to facilitate serious peace talks. Sarkozy and other European leaders also hope such progress will go some way to quieting their restive Muslim populations.
But the timing is unfortunate to say the least. Speculation about an Israeli or US attack on Iranian nuclear installations has been mounting ahead of the publication of a report by the UN’s nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, which is said to conclude that Iran is actively seeking to develop nuclear weapons – news which will come as a surprise to no-one except the most wishful-thinking doves in the US and European foreign policy establishments. France, true to form, is already indicating that it will oppose strikes against Iran.
Obama will hopefully be pressed on the exchange – he should be asked, for example, to clarify whether on not he agrees with Sarkozy that Netanyahu is a liar, and why, if he doesn’t agree, he didn’t take issue with the remark. His chances of winning back some of the Jewish voters who abandoned him in the wake of the row with Netanyahu are likely to suffer.
As for Sarkozy, he’ll have even more explaining to do.
Let’s say the French Prez DID say this: what was Obama to do, challenge him to a duel? We already knew Obama has disdain for Israel as he does for anything that has even the faintest tinge of the dreaded “colonialist” word attached to it or people with a high/low skin albedo.
Obama probably has Winston Churchill’s bust on top of a toilet in the White House basement.
One of the first things he did in office was send Churchill’s bust baqck to England.
Israel and Western Democracy hating anti semites of a feather flock together.
They’re both sleazy untrustworthy types.
Should we expect good manners from them too??
Sarkozy has been worse than useless ever since he married that leftist bimbo.
Just sayin’.
The funny thing is that Jews and Arabs do not look particularly different from each other, and Israel was formed after throwing off the British Colonialists.
This should put Obama in “solid” with Jewish voters. Aside from drawing Jewish voters a picture showing Obama trying to destroy the state of Israel, will they finally, FINALLY, get the message that Obama is no friend of Israel and that he supports the Muslims? Obama HATES Israel, which is evident from this story and will bend over backwards for any Islamist state. Will Jewish voters now understand this and support a Republican for president? If they do not, they are casting a vote against Israel. It’s as simple as that. If you want Obama in office for another four years, you may not see Israel after that, especially if Iran gets a nuclear weapon. If Obama’s past treatment of Netanyahu wasn’t proof enough of Obama’s hatred for Israel, this really should convince you. Help Israel by throwing this bum out of office in 2012.
talking to the wall.
The irony is, this remark actually will put Obama in “solid” with many Jewish voters, sad to say.
What you forget, is that many American Jews want to be “free” of Israel. They resent Israel being tied to their identity, and would love if it was out of their way.
I don’t know any Jews who want to be free of Israel. Every Jewish American I know stands by Israel, and most also stand by the Democratic party. The disconnect between their ideas and reality is astonishing. It is like the haters of Wall St. who demand the re-election of President Goldman Sachs, as Instapundit calls him.
People prefer the illusion of the party of Truman that stands by the little guy to the Democratic party as it has existed for the last 40 years. Asking people to give up their illusions is hard.
+1
talking to the wall, everybody?
It was Netanyahu, not Israel, that Obama was talking about, and just about all Jewish voters who voted for Obama are nodding their heads and saying “Yes!” in agreement, because Netanyahu stood up, finally, after taking a lot of crap from their beloved Obama, and told him where to get off.
We clearly have very different Jewish friends. The jews I know, hell even my jewish boss hate the fact that there faith is tied to Israel. They want nothing do with it and would rather America cut its ties with it thinking it brings more trouble than its worth.
We certainly do have very different Jewish communities.
liar you are a liar
I’m Jewish. I grew up in the US. My husband and I are religiously observant but not ultra-orthodox. We’re pretty mild and nonjudgmental. We moved to Israel to raise our kids here. You’re right–there are two distinctly different Jewish communities in America today: Jews who know their heritage, their history, their literature and faith, and are proud of it — and assimilationist Jews who want nothing to do with with Judaism or Israel because they’re really into “fitting in” in America. Most of the latter are Reform or nonaffiliated, marry out, and politically are very liberal. Reform is Judaism lite and just like being Protestant to these folks; they’ve substituted liberalism for Judaism and have little or no connection to the People of Israel except in a vague way, and knowing little or nothing about the conflict and the players and Jewish history, they adopt the “Palestinian narrative” as recited by their Bible, the New York Times. Those of us who are connected to our people, our literature, our history and Israel know better. It’s okay–we’re having children raised in our traditions. The assimilationists are marrying out and their grandchildren will celebrate Christmas instead of Hanukkah, so they won’t have to be embarassed about being Jewish and having a Jewish state any more.
Truman was not that particularly pro-Israel. Then again, it took a long time for Jews to realize that Roosevelt had betrayed them, and some still haven’t.
It is funny how Obama has reduced the expectations that we have for our President. This new “gaff” does not come as a surprise or does it bother Americans.
I wonder when they will become “fed up” with Hamas, suicide bombers, thousands of missiles and Palestinian intransigence on recoginizing Israel’s right to exist.
The odd thing is that Bush and Obama pummeled Iraq and continue to pummel Afghanistan and Pakistan for reasons less substantial than Israel puts up with from Gaza every week and for years. Yet Israel is accused of disproportionate force but I can say at least they are not Wrong-Way Corrigan.
If Kansas were Gaza, there’d be Marine brigades in a Hamas-free Gaza and trust me, no Goldstone Reports.
CAN’T WAIT AND HEAR OBAMA TALK HIS WAY OUT OF THIS ONE….IMPEACHMENT IS IN ORDER……ANY president WHO TALKS LIKE HIM SHOULD & MUST BE IMPEACHED……NOW……I’LL BACK ANYONE WHO IMPEACH OBAMA, OH NEVER MIND NOTHING WILL HAPPEN. WHAT WAS I THINKING.
Please stop shouting! (Remarks typed entired in caps are widely viewed as shouting online, in case you didn’t know.)
Because none of those things affect the USA.
However, the Zionists are constantly begging for additional welfare and military aid from American taxpayers. AIPAC is constantly bribing our politicians to make sure the welfare keeps flowing.
Why can’t Israel fight its own wars and keep America out of it?
Let up on that stout. Read and think for yourself, if you are capable. Repeating a lie is a lie.
3 bil in loan guaranties is not that they take the money and give nothing back. You are confusing with GM and GE.
“However the Zionists are constantly begging for welfare and military aid from American taxpayers. AIPAC is constantly bribing our politicians to make sure the welfare keeps flowing.”
So if the Zionists have so much money that they can keep on “constantly bribing” the politicians, why do they need to beg for welfare?
It seems like it is the American politicians who are constantly asking for welfare. Latest revelations in Mr. Abramof’s (Sp?) book.
Israel gets no welfare from the US. Back decades ago, when we had a struggling economy on a war footing and were absorbing 800,000 Jewish refugees booted out of Muslim countries, we received aid. Once we got on our feet, we did not (unlike Pakistan, Egypt or dozens of other countries which still do). What we do get is loan guarantees (a line of credit if you will) with which to purchase American-made products, mostly military, thus creating jobs for Americans. Those loans are now and always have been paid in full.
We DO fight our own wars and about 15% of defence budget comes from America and has to be spent in America. No welfare. You really should know your facts before wting rubbish
Wherever this guy goes he usually ends up with his foot in his mouth. Is it because he in inept or is he just plain stupid. The media has been covering up for him for over three years now with no end in sight. Imagine any Republican saying things like this and the media’s outrage, it would never end.
It doesn’t hurt little lenin, since it’s a far more temperate remark from him than what everybody knows is in his heart. Frankly, it’s shocking he didn’t pile on.
“Frankly, it’s shocking he didn’t pile on.”
I am not at all sure he didn’t. How do we know we’re hearing the whole story?
We can only imagine what choice words Sarkozy has about Obama after he leaves. What I would like to know is what Sarkozy thinks Bebe has lied about. Seems to me he is a straight shooter who doesn’t really pull his punches much.
Nothing new here.
Would have been a lot more worrisome had those two clowns said they (um, er, uh, sorta) liked Bibi.
File under: Two more points in Bibi’s favor.
This is definitely my favorite comment of the day!
“I cannot bear Netanyahu, he’s a liar.”
Not that you care Sarkozy, but Netanyahu thinks the same of you.
“You’re fed up with him, but I have to deal with him every day.”
Oh, Obama, WE think the same of you.
Bingo!
and we have to live with BB ( or maybe get outa here)
Obama and the cadre of small c communists that always seem to be slipstreaming behind him…have BBC “feelings” toward Israel, the way some folks used to say southerners had “southern feelings” toward blacks.
Obama shares those feelings. I suspect his dinners with Rashid Khalidi and the wives would expose a lot more than this brief Sarkozy moment would.
And…the Edward Said fete, with Khalidi in tow…that is being held hostage by the LA Times in an act of open corruption…would probably tell us all we need to know.
Obama uses Jews the way Switzerland used the Nazis…he gets to put on a neutral facade while filling his pockets. He told Ali Abuminah that he had to keep up the false front, but to trust whose side he was on.
Again, the kidnapped tape held hostage by the conspirator LA newspaper might let us in on the truth.
We know what side of the fence Ayers, Jeremiah Wright, Louis Farrakhan, Khalidi, Said, …virtually all of Obama’s “mentors” and “dear friends” are on. We also know a piece of Soros’ history. And, the history of Robert Malley and his family…the favorite friend of the left…Jew-hating Jews.
The Sarkozy moment is but a tiny reflection of what lies behind the facade. Netanyahu is not the liar in this tale. But, he may be left to dine alone again…and should expect it with these two at their respective helms.
“The Sarkozy moment is but a tiny reflection of what lies behind the facade. Netanyahu is not the liar in this tale. But, he may be left to dine alone again…and should expect it with these two at their respective helms.”
If I were Netanyahu, I would not want to dine with Sarkozy or Obama. Both of them are disgusting, particularly Obama.
Sarkozy derides both Judaism and Christianity yet had no problem demanding that mosques in France be supported with tax dollars. BHO has all but turned The White House into a mosque.
When in comes to lies either one makes Netanyahu look like an amateur.
Ironically, Sarkozy has Jewish blood himself. According to Wikipedia: Sarkozy is a Frenchman of mixed national and ethnic ancestry. He is the son of Pál István Ernő Sárközy de Nagy-Bócsa, a Hungarian aristocrat, and Andrée Jeanne “Dadu” Mallah (b. Paris, 12 October 1925), who is of French Catholic and Greek Jewish origin.
how ya goin? do you mean that Saudi money is US tax dollars?
It is rather comical times. You have a white Frenchman and an American black wannabe Frenchman and president of the world badmouthing a Jew, while another black man and American presidential candidate keeps getting accused of inappropriate behavior by unemployed white women and their white lawyers as the Italians and their bunga bunga bond market proceeds to bring down the Euro zone. It’s a hell of party and the band just keeps playing on.
You folks moved this into the race category quite fast. I understand the shallow nature of the GOP cult, but exactly what was said to convince you that it needed to happen? I know the GOP has an unhealthy devotion to Israel – probably due to guilt, but why not let the facts tell the story? Politicians lie all the time, it is what they do. Can’t that alone be the story?
Let me just respond by saying, “Say what?” The shallow nature of your reading comprehension, apparently allows you to make generalizations you readily accuse others of making. Well played!
“Politicians lie all the time, it is what they do. Can’t that alone be the story?”
Yes, indeed. And they also regularly call each other nasty names behind each other’s back. Yet, when Nixon was caught calling PM Trudeau of Canada an @$$hole during a private moment it became an international incident as well because something precipitated a comment that was, by itself, impossible to justify. Same rule applies here. The story goes far beyond the mere comment itself or that global leaders are little more than 7th graders with bigger guns.
Who were Sarkozy and Obama lying to? What a dumb comment.
To each other, dumbo!
The only thing Obama has going for him is the power of the Oval Office. Consider his history and CV compared to Netanyahu:
Education: Obama has a BA and a law degree. Netanyahu has a BA and an MBA.
Military service: Obama has none. Netanyahu served in Israel’s Special Forces.
Foreign policy experience: Obama studied International Relations, spent a few childhood years in Indonesia, traveled to Pakistan. Netanyahu served as Israel’s ambassador to the UN.
Business or economic experience: Obama worked at the Woods Foundation distributing other people’s money. Netanyahu worked as a business consultant, later as Minister of Finance, carrying out extensive reforms of the economy.
Writings: Obama wrote two books about himself. Netanyahu wrote a book about fighting terrorism.
Unfortunately for Netanyahu, he leads a small country, and doesn’t get the respect he deserves. Obama, for his part, would be just another hack politician without the trappings of his office. With that office he’s deemed “Leader of the Free World”. Heaven help us.
And, pray tell, why should Israel sacrifice its security or national interests just so Sarkozy and other European leaders can quiet their “restive Muslim populations”?
“…carrying out extensive, and successful reforms of the economy.”
There, fixed it fer ya.
I’m french and ashamed by this president. He lost my vote a long time ago so… nothing new for Nicky
Join the club, Norm. I’m an American and am really embarrassed by our president. How can we tell when he’s lying to us? Simple, his lips are moving.
Beyond the already discussed infelicities of the exchange, what I’m struck by is that even in casual dissing Obama still has make himself the focus. Essentially it boils down “you think YOU have it bad, I’M the one has to suffer more than you.” Amazing that every bit of impromptu chatter that comes from Obama, every attempt at “humor” (like his comment on the Sarkozy newborn), is disparaging of someone else and/or self-serving. The true insight into how utterly a narcissist the man is.
I think you’re the only one here to make that observation. Good catch.
Actually, that’s a hilarious and apt point.
THE ONLY THING I’LL SAY ABOUT THIS IS ………..MAY GOD HELP US…CAUSE WE HAVE A GOVERNMENT THAT CAN’T TAKE CARE OF THEIR CITIZENS OF THE GREAT COUNTRY LIKE OUR’S……OBAMA WOULD LIKE TO DESTROY AMERICA, SORRY NOT LIKE TO DESTROY, BUT BENT ON DESTROYING OUR COUNTRY……
Please stop shouting!
“The remarks were made during a private conversation that was overheard by journalists. The exchange wasn’t covered at the time, …”
Sort of says it all, doesn’t it?
They were right.
Netanyahu IS a liar.
Please elucidate. What in particular makes Netanyahu a liar? What is the specific statement he made that was later shown to be untrue and that he knew it at the time?
You are not expecting an answer and verifiable details from ExtraFat are you his sort just throw out unsubstantiated accusations. Just like they are doing with Herman Cain.
He might be a liar, but it’s forbidden to tell that LMAO
yet he is no pope, thus not sacred !
If the most Iran does is ATTEMPT to close the Straits of Hormuz….is that a big problem…except for Iran.
Several Blue-water navies including India and China have adequate naval assets in the vicinity to keep the tanker trafic moving by direct naval gunfire and potent, accurate surface to surface missiles. One of the benefits of Soamali piracy. The Straits of Hormuz are not extensive and 2 modern frigates could easily intimidate/interdict any Iranian interference…A USN battle group…..as long as UN ROEs are ignored.
Well, that settles it for me. I shall haul ass to the French consulate in downtown Tel Aviv and do my duty as a loyal French citizen, but I am now officially exempted from voting for Sarko. I think of voting for the Socialist guy, who MAY be infinitesimally better than the others as far as the Tribe is concerned, but a white ballot will certainly feel a lot better.
boff do that and you will not get subsidies from french Jews, and forget for the elders to retire in Israel
They detest Netanyahu because the sanctimonious little Jew actually backs up his words with real actions. The nerve of him!
Obama & Sarkozy, two friends,
Whose behavior most deeply offends:
When they think they’re alone,
As they talk on the phone,
The shit flies out of both ends.
Does anyone honestly think Netanyahu does not know this already, or even cares???
What Netanyahu sees are the leaders of nations and beliefs that have long throughout history, slaughtered, persecuted, and denied the rights of Jews to even exist. Bibi sees two ignorant, Jew haters- not leaders, not peace partners.
He sees two misfits who have to stoop to blackmail and betrayal in their attempts to give Israel to the Muslims/Arabs on a silver plate in exchange for oil, and calmness in their own nations. He sees 2 grown men, neither of whom has ever served anything but their own egos and unwholesome proclivities, let alone, ever wounded in battle for the very survival of their nation and people. He sees two men who serve no G-D, only their own images.
Netanyahu knows exactly who, and what he is dealing with: two cowardly little men of little worth.
“And they’re growing increasingly frustrated by Netanyahu’s understandable reluctance to hand them a foreign policy triumph by acceding to sufficient Palestinian demands to facilitate serious peace talks.”
As if. Serious peace talks with Hamas? Did Hamas agree to recognize Israel’s right to exist while I wasn’t looking? As recent history has taught us, acceding to Palestinian demands would only facilitate more hate, more treachery, and more missiles.
The politically doomed Frenchman and the chameleon in the White House calling anyone a liar is like the pot calling the kettle black. Uh-oh. Was that remark raaacist?
A century or so back, those would be fighting words. A glove across the man’s face and a challenge to a duel at sunrise. Oh well, just a thought.
So tell me that again “Obambi is not a Mohammedan.” LOL
If Iran nukes New York harbor there will instantly be be many fewer Democrats. I suspect that the Paulistas in other parts of this country will also suddenly get real.
Obama also intentionally badmouthed the United States of America in front of G-20 forum. It’s inacceptable to have this man represent this country.
That would be “unacceptable”
The spirit if not the practice of Vichy lives on in the form of Nicola Sarkozy!
And after Reverend Wright, there is nothing to be said about Barack Obama.
Why is this news? Why ll this “sensitivity” with Israel? Israel it is NOT a US State.Israel has been found many times spying on the US besides the HUGE aid the receive .
There is less here than meets the eye. I’ll bet that Netanyhu couldn’t care less what Sarkozy and Obama thinks about him….microphones open or closed. Netanyahu is a bigger man than both of them put together.
Obama needs to be replaced with someone with a mature understanding that Islam is our existential enemy and that that concept must trump personal differences.
The French can keep Sarkozy or elect someone else. What’s vital is that the continuity of the U.S.-Israel mutual (‘mutual’…emphasized) suppport effort against our Islamist enemy, regardless of the temperaments of transient leaders.
Netanyahu is probably ‘considering the source’ of those overheard remarks and ‘moving on’, as we say.
Since when does any American president have to lick the backside of the Israeli leader? We’re allies not servants.
Absolutely agree
Israeli (grumpy)
First, this site joins in on bashing Cain for questionable, unsourced. allegations. Now it’s attempting to defend Obama for what is clearly an attack on Israel and its prime minister. It’s pretty obvious what Obama meant It’s official. PJM has been sold out to RINO enablers.
Here’s how it works.
Bibi is the Leader of the Orchestra
Sarkozy stands on a stool to bang the big drum whilst
Obama remains on loan from the junior school band where he plays a tin whistle – inbetween blowing his own trumpet.
Netanyahu has to put up with the two of them but gets some light relief by needling both of them in the style of Sean Fitzpatrick (former All Black captain who, famously, used to drive the opposition skippers to distraction with his goading remarks). Neither Sarky nor Obama have any idea how to handle Netanyahu – or their own governments for that matter – he’s far too quick witted.
Incidentally Sarkozy is regarded by the French as ‘un prique complet’. Thought everyone knew that.
Sarko’s relationship with David Cameron appear to have sunk to a new low. ‘We’re sick of you criticising us and telling us what to do,’ the French leader is said to have told the UK Prime Minister in Brussels recently.
Poor old Nicolas seems to have a very low tolerance level. Matches his stature.
‘What America needs right now is statesmanship, which in turn demands attributes such as courage, vision, unshakeable principles and a backbone of steel.’ Someone like Bibi Netanyahu…
Brian
Life means taking the responsibility to fulfill the tasks we need to face