Netanyahu, the camera and the embarrassing incident with the American senators

A strange and embarrassing incident occurred during the meeting held by opposition leader Binyamin Netanyahu on Monday with a delegation of American senators – Republicans and Democrats, according to two sources familiar with the details of the event.

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In the news center

• The delegation of senators was organized by senior Republican Senator Lindsey Graham – one of Israel’s greatest friends in the American Congress and who is considered very close to Netanyahu.
• Senior Democratic Senator Robert Menendez, who serves as the chairman of the US Senate’s Foreign Affairs Committee and who is also very friendly with Netanyahu, was also a member of the delegation.
• During the visit, members of the delegation met with Prime Minister Yair Lapid, Mossad head Dedi Barnea, opposition leader Netanyahu and other officials and discussed mainly the issue of the nuclear agreement with Iran.

Behind the Scenes

• The delegation of senators came to the meeting with Netanyahu together with the US ambassador to Israel Tom Neides to hear Netanyahu’s position regarding a sensitive political-security issue – the nuclear agreement with Iran – in light of the fact that the agreement may be brought up for discussion in Congress.
• When the meeting began, the senators were surprised to see that a video camera was placed in the room, which was activated by one of Netanyahu’s advisers, said the sources familiar with the details of the incident.
• According to the sources, US Ambassador Tom Neides even saw that Netanyahu was wearing a small microphone on the lapel of his jacket. The sources stated that this made the senators and the ambassador realize that the closed meeting was being recorded and photographed by Netanyahu and his men.
• The American ambassador turned to Netanyahu and asked why he was wearing a microphone. Netanyahu tried to avoid the question. “It’s nothing,” he replied. According to the sources the American ambassador and the senators were not convinced and this created a great sense of discomfort.
• At this point, the head of the delegation Senator Graham turned to Netanyahu, asked why a camera was placed in the room and demanded that it be removed along with any other photographic or recording equipment. Both sources stated that only after the camera and microphone that Netanyahu was wearing were removed did the meeting begin.

between the lines

• The strange incident caused great embarrassment and the members of the delegation were stunned by the strange behavior of Netanyahu and his men. One of the suspicions that arose, according to a source familiar with the details, is that Netanyahu wanted to film and record the meeting for propaganda videos in the election campaign.

what are they saying

• Senator Graham and the US ambassador refused to comment on the matter but did not deny it.
• Officials in Netanyahu’s office said in response that almost every event of Netanyahu’s is documented and this meeting was not unusual. “There was no drama,” said Netanyahu’s office. “The request was honored and the photographer left.”