Hot Mic Reveals French and US Leaders' Candid Views on Netanyahu

A private conversation between then-U.S. President Barack Obama and French President Nicolas Sarkozy, inadvertently picked up by open microphones at the G20 summit in Cannes in November 2011, revealed their candid frustrations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The incident, widely reported by various news outlets including the New York Times, highlighted the often-strained personal dynamics at the highest levels of international diplomacy.

During the exchange, Sarkozy was heard telling Obama, "I cannot stand him. He's a liar." Obama responded, "You're fed up with him? I have to deal with him every day." This unfiltered dialogue occurred just before a planned press conference, as journalists were preparing and some translation equipment was already active.

The conversation reportedly began with Obama expressing dissatisfaction over France's decision to vote in favor of the Palestinian bid to join UNESCO, the United Nations cultural organization, a move opposed by the U.S. The subsequent remarks about Netanyahu underscored a deeper, underlying tension in the relationships between the three leaders, particularly between Obama and Netanyahu, which had been publicly challenging.

Initially, some journalists who overheard the remarks chose not to report them due to their sensitive nature. However, the comments were eventually published by a French website, Arrêt Sur Images, and subsequently confirmed by major news agencies and media outlets, leading to widespread international coverage. The New York Times, among others, later revisited the incident, reflecting its significance.

The "hot mic" moment became a stark illustration of the personal complexities that can influence international relations, even as official statements maintain diplomatic decorum. It provided a rare glimpse into the private sentiments of world leaders regarding their counterparts, confirming long-speculated difficulties in their working relationships.