Obama, Sarkozy Rip Israeli Prime Minister in Open Mic Blunder

Religion Today | Updated: Nov 08, 2011

Obama, Sarkozy Rip Israeli Prime Minister in Open Mic Blunder

Israeli news agency Ynetnews reports that microphones accidentally left on after the G20 summit in France last week picked up a private conversation between U.S. president Barack Obama and French president Nicolas Sarkozy in which both men badmouthed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Sarkozy told Obama that Netanyahu was a "liar" and that he "can't stand" him, and Obama responded: "You're fed up with him? I have to deal with him every day." According to a report, journalists present at the event were requested to sign an agreement to keep quiet about the comments, but the French website Arrêt sur images broke the story Tuesday. A Reuters reporter who was present at G20 confirmed the veracity of the remarks.

Obama, Sarkozy Rip Israeli Prime Minister in Open Mic Blunder