Netanyahu Fumes During Radio Interview
JERUSALEM — No stranger to the burning issues of the day, Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu was really fired up during a radio interview Sunday.
“Can’t you smell the smoke?” an Army Radio reporter suddenly asked Netanyahu, the finance minister, as they spoke about a recent controversial decision to replace Israel’s army chief.
“What do you mean?” Netanyahu shot back.
“Your cigar is on fire. The one inside your suit jacket. Minister Netanyahu, you are burning up,” the reporter replied, his voice rising in urgency in the interview being conducted outside the Cabinet room before its weekly meeting.
Housing Minister Isaac Herzog, on his way to the Cabinet meeting, came to the rescue.
“Bibi, throw it on the floor!” he said, calling Netanyahu by his nickname.
Emergency over, the reporter asked Netanyahu, well known for his penchant for cigars, why he had put a lighted one in his pocket.
“Smoking is forbidden here,” the minister said.
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