Channel 2 news reports that Benjamin Netanyahu called Ehud Barak the least successful Israeli prime minister ever, during an interview between the prime minister and ultra-Orthodox journalists.
“Barak is the most failing prime minister in Israel’s history,” Netanyahu is quoted saying. “He’s the one who promised American aid and failed. Where’s the billions he promised for Israeli security? He can wag his tail and build his comeback.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks with Defense Minister Ehud Barak at the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv on November 14, 2012. (photo credit: Ariel Hermoni/Defense Ministry/Flash90)
However, an editor for the Behadrei Haredim news site writes on Twitter that he was at the meeting and “the quote is not accurate.”
The reported comments came after Barak has in recent months gone on the offensive against Netanyahu, saying he has endangered the country, leading to speculation that he is preparing for a political comeback.
Barak served as prime minister from 1999 to 2001, after winning the seat from Netanyahu. He later served as defense minister under Netanyahu, after breaking off from the Labor party, which he had led.
Is our live election coverage important to you?
Are you relying on The Times of Israel for accurate and timely coverage of the 2026 Israeli election? If so, please join The Times of Israel Community. For as little as $6/month, you will:
Support our independent journalists who are working around the clock to report political developments as they unfold;
Read ToI with a clear, ads-free experience on our site, apps and podcasts; and
Gain access to exclusive content shared only with the ToI Community, including our DocuNationstreaming film series and weekly letters from founding editor David Horovitz.
We’re really pleased that you’ve read X Times of Israel articles in the past month.
That’s why we started the Times of Israel - to provide discerning readers like you with must-read coverage of Israel and the Jewish world.
So now we have a request. Unlike other news outlets, we haven’t put up a paywall. But as the journalism we do is costly, we invite readers for whom The Times of Israel has become important to help support our work by joining The Times of Israel Community.
For as little as $6 a month you can help support our quality journalism while enjoying The Times of Israel AD-FREE, as well as accessing exclusive content available only to Times of Israel Community members.
Thank you, David Horovitz, Founding Editor of The Times of Israel
From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, August 23, 2016
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on Google
