Ex Blair aide: U.K. believed Netanyahu was untrustworthy
In Alistair Campbell 1998 diary excerpts released by The Guardian, former communication's chief to the British premier said U.K. officials called Netanyahu an 'armor-plated bullshitter.'
By Haaretz Service Tags: Israel news Benjamin NetanyahuFormer U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair did not trust then Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a former Blair aide was quoted as writing in his newly published diaries on Thursday, adding that the former premier also suspected he was being recorded by Israeli security during a visit to the country.
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shakes hands with Middle East Quartet Envoy Tony Blair on June 08, 2010 in Jerusalem, Israel. |
| Photo by: GPO |
In the second volume of his diaries, former Downing Street communications chief Alistair Campbell wrote candidly of the British view of then, and current, Prime Minister Netanyahu, saying Foreign Office officials had nicknamed Netanyahu "the armor-plated bullshitter."
Campbell goes on to say that this view was not held exclusively by U.K. officials, adding that former premier, and current Defense Minister Ehud Barak told Blair during a meeting that he was "was pessimistic because Bibi was a total bullshitter."
In fact, Campbell states in diary excerpts quoted in the Guardian, the former British PM was so wary of Netanyahu that he believed that recording devices were planted in his vehicle during the 1998 visit to Israel.
"The three of us travelled back together, [Tony Blair] doing his little finger-whirl to indicate the assumption the car was bugged so we did the usual how well it had all gone blah," Campbell wrote.
Campbell also commented on former Blair fundraiser and Mideast envoy Lord Michael Levy, saying, according to the quotes in The Guardian regarding the same 1998 Israel visit, that Levy was "hiding behind [Derek] Plumbly [Middle East and North Africa director, FCO] and saying he was deliberately hiding."
"Then, as [Tony Blair] wound up, who should march straight up there and shake him by the hand and start making introductions but Michael. He was unbe-fu--ing-lievable," Campbell wrote.
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Alistair Campbell's words were in 1998 now it is worse!
So, the newly 'independent' Defense Minister thinks that the Prime Minister is 'a total bullshitter'—that should make for a good coalition!
So, the newly 'independent' Defense Minister thinks that the Prime Minister is 'a total bullshitter'—that should make for a good coalition!
no kidding!!!.
just what relevance does this have?
this is coming from tony blair's office... the armor plated bullsh*tter extrodinair!
Strange really as Tony Blair and Spinman Campbell were (and still are) the biggest bullshitters in modern history! Bibi is armour plated, but thats because he has fought wars not from desks, or media rooms. And yes i'm sure that the intelligence services were recording them, There called intelligence for a reason!
that BiBi never trusted!
Who said international politics are boring???? Too bad we don't know what Nethanyahu said of Blair... and of other gentiles..
To the Saudi Arab then tried to hide it
They say you cannot BS a BS-er. Campbell is a master spinner. Good description of Netanyahu - a pure BS merchant so hungry for power he'll surround himself with any idiot while the country rots. Michael Levy is very pro-Israel but tainted by corruption allegations (unproven) and he is frankly also star-struck and ultimately, useless.
TELL US SOMTHING WE DONT KNOW IT DOES NOT TAKE MUCH TO SEE THIS
I would like to record my strong doubts regarding the armor plating.
Two-faced all the way.
News: this is not. Bibi would have more international influence if he took better care of his reputation. Of course, I mean by earning trust with honesty and reliability, not simply attacking his accusors.
As a reward for his services, they sent him to the ME to deal with 2/3rds of world's crazy people. The rest of them he left at home.
The Brits do have a talent for understatement.
Netanyahu failed once and got reelected - so nobody should be surpised he didn't change...
I will ask Mr. Alister, the fact that you and your prime minister lied in regards to Iraqi situation and keep lying, Would this qualify you and the former premier Blair as "a 'armor-plated bullshitters" that are responsible for many deaths?
LMAO!
Can someone please explain what is so shocking about the last two paragraphs of this story?
shows full well the intent of the item: the usual Guardian attack on Jews
So, by definition, he's a politician. Sounds like Obama, and every other politician globally
Crooked from top to bottom
what a surprise! it does not stop Bliar being a fullblown Zionist. "Peace envoy"????????
No words to describe what Israel has to deal with on a daily basis with them.
The israeli right " who let the dogs out".
When their lips move ?
The question is how long he will continue to get away with it.