Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blasted the European Union and former U.S. President Barack Hussein Obama over their lack of support for his home country during a private meeting with the leaders of Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia.
The Haaretz newspaper released recorded audio of the remarks where Netanyahu is heard saying that there was “a big problem” during Obama’s tenure in the White House.
Netanyahu said to his fellow leaders, “The European Union is the only association of countries in the world that conditions the relations with Israel, that produces technology and every area, on political conditions. The only ones! Nobody does it.” He emphasizes, “It’s crazy. It’s actually crazy.”
He adds, “I think that if I can suggest that what comes out of this meeting is your ability perhaps to communicate to your colleagues in other parts of Europe: help Europe, twice. Don’t undermine that one Western country that defends European values and European interests and prevents.”
Netanyahu explained, “There is no logic here.” He continued, “The EU is undermining its security by undermining Israel. Europe is undermining its progress by undermining its connection with Israeli innovation by a crazy attempt to create conditions.”
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban cut in, “Mr. Netanyahu, the European Union is even more unique. The EU places conditions on the ones already inside the EU, not only the countries on the outside.” That was a joke referencing the EU putting sanctions on Hungary for its opposition to George Soros’ funded immigration efforts.
Netanyahu replied, “I think Europe has to decide if it wants to live and thrive or if it wants to shrivel and disappear.”
He told them, “I am not very politically correct. I know that’s a shock to some of you. It’s a joke. But the truth is the truth, both about Europe’s security and Europe’s economic future. Both of these concerns mandate a different policy toward Israel.”
Israel’s PM said, “We are part of the European culture. Europe ends in Israel. East of Israel, there is no more Europe.”
Netanyahu praised Christians for their support of Israel’s statehood. “We have no greater friends than the Christians who support Israel around the world. Not only the evangelists. If I go to Brazil, I’ll be greeted there with more enthusiasm than at the Likud party center.”
He criticized the Obama Administration and its weak foreign policy toward the Middle East.
“We had a big problem [in America].” He adds, “I think it’s different now. Vis-a-vis Iran, there is a stronger position. The U.S. is more engaged in the region and conducting more bombings [in Syria]. It is a positive thing. I think we’re ok on ISIS. We’re not okay on Iran.”
Netanyahu also mentioned Israel’s own wall and the nation’s efforts in blocking terrorist organizations in the region from getting weapons.
“We blocked the border not only in Egypt but in the Golan Heights,” he explained. “We built the wall because there was a problem with ISIS and Iran trying to build a terror front there. I told Putin, when we see them transferring weapons to Hezbollah, we will hurt them. We did it dozens of times.”
Some of the audio was put on YouTube: