Caught on hot microphone, Netanyahu attacks EU

JERUSALEM (AA) – In a “hot mic” incident, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attacked the European Union during a meeting with Eastern Europe leaders, an Israeli newspaper reported on Wednesday.

According to Israeli daily The Jerusalem Post, Netanyahu slammed the EU, accusing it of working to undermine the Jewish state.

''The European Union is the only organization that stipulates its relations with Israel, which provides technology, on political conditions,” he reportedly said.

Netanyahu made the comments as part of a closed-door meeting with the leaders of Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic, while the microphone he was wearing remained activated and his comments could be heard by journalists.

“Europe is endangering its ties with Israel over the attempt to create conditions for peace between Israel and the Palestinians,” he reportedly said, “and this endangers its development.”

Netanyahu, according to the newspaper, also attacked former US President Barack Obama, saying, “We had a big problem with the United States but it is different now, there is a renewed American presence in the region.”

Netanyahu also referred to Israeli airstrikes against arms shipments to Hezbollah in Syria.

"I told Russian President Vladimir Putin that if we see Iran transfers weapons to Hezbollah, we will take military action against them,” he reportedly said. “We have done it dozens of times.”