Daniel Bernard (diplomat): Difference between revisions
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==Bernard's response== |
==Bernard's response== |
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In a subsequent letter to the ''Daily Telegraph'', Bernard insisted his remarks had been distorted, writing that: |
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| ⚫ | 'Over the past few days, I have been the subject of grave accusations because of a comment I am reported to have made during a conversation with Lord Black. The facts are: while we were discussing the Israeli-Palestinian issue, I pointed out to Lord Black that this tragedy was taking place in a geographically limited area (I even specified that it was the equivalent of three French departments) that for 40 years had been suffering from a conflict whose equitable solution seems more out of reach than ever. Of course, I never meant to insult Israel or any other part of that region. The deliberately biased presentation of this conversation in some circles, accompanied by malicious accusations, is deeply shocking and insulting.' |
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<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2001/12/22/dt2208.xml Comments on Israel 'distorted'] by Daniel Bernard, The Daily Telegraph, December 22, 2001</ref></blockquote> |
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==Reaction== |
==Reaction== |
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Revision as of 06:36, 2 January 2009
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In 2001, diplomat Daniel Bernard (1941-2004) came to public attention when, as French Ambassador to the United Kingdom, he was quoted as saying:"All the current troubles in the world are because of that shitty little country Israel." The diplomat added, "Why should the world be in danger of World War III because of those people?"
Reported remark
Bernard was appointed French ambassador to the United Kingdom in early 2001. According to the UK's Daily Telegraph, in December 2001, Bernard referred to Israel as "that shitty little country Israel," and blamed it for all the troubles in the world. The remark was reported to have taken place during a conversation with Conrad Black of the Daily Telegraph at a private dinner party Black was hosting. Bernard's comment was then later repeated in an article written by Black's wife, Barbara Amiel, in the Daily Telegraph.
Initially, Bernard stated that he could not remember making it, but later insisted that what he said had been thoroughly distorted. Bernard's press secretary stated, "He does not deny the remarks, he just says first of all what he said was distorted." He also stated that he was outraged that a private discussion was reported by the media and clearly stated that he would not apologise.[1] [2]
Bernard's spokesman, Yves Charpentier, stated that Bernard felt there was no need for him to apologize. He stated that "In the course of the discussion the ambassador referred to 'little Israel' in the sense that it is geographically small, but that nevertheless the scale of the consequences is huge and the repercussions around the world are tremendous."[1]
Bernard's response
In a subsequent letter to the Daily Telegraph, Bernard insisted his remarks had been distorted, writing that:
'Over the past few days, I have been the subject of grave accusations because of a comment I am reported to have made during a conversation with Lord Black. The facts are: while we were discussing the Israeli-Palestinian issue, I pointed out to Lord Black that this tragedy was taking place in a geographically limited area (I even specified that it was the equivalent of three French departments) that for 40 years had been suffering from a conflict whose equitable solution seems more out of reach than ever. Of course, I never meant to insult Israel or any other part of that region. The deliberately biased presentation of this conversation in some circles, accompanied by malicious accusations, is deeply shocking and insulting.'
Reaction
The British press saw a firestorm as a result, as comment on the 23 December 2001 in the Daily Telegraph exemplifies. [4] One British journalist, Deborah Orr did defend Bernard. British Labour MP Gwyneth Dunwoody stated that Bermard "should resign immediately and I am writing to President Chirac to demand that if he does not resign then he should be sacked."[1]
In Israel, the remark sparked outrage, with Raanan Gissin, spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon calling Bernard's statement "a pure anti-Semitic expression" and further stating that the French Government "should draw the conclusions of a senior representative of a nation making an anti-Semitic remark". [1]
The French Foreign Ministry defended Bernard and dismissed the charges of anti-Semitism as "malevolent insinuations". The French Press was also largely supportive of Bernard, while recognising that Bernard was a flamboyant character (Le Monde 2 May 2004). [2] His obiturary in Le Monde in 2004 also illustrates the same points.
Bernard was reassigned to become France's ambassador to Algeria in July 2002. He died in April 2004 while serving in that post, at the age of 62.
References
- ^ a b c d 'Anti-Semitic' French envoy under fire, BBC, December 20, 2001.
- ^ Irish Examiner, as cited below.
- ^ Comments on Israel 'distorted' by Daniel Bernard, The Daily Telegraph, December 22, 2001
- ^ [1]
External links
- Ewen MacAskill. Israel seeks head of French envoy, Guardian UK, December 20, 2001.
- Jane Merrick. French ambassador refuses to apologize, Irish Examiner, December 20, 2001.
- Warren Hoge. "Embassy Row Scandal Consumes Fleet Street", New York Times, December 22, 2001.
- Ohad Gozani. French ambassador calls Israel 'paranoid' and Sharon 'a lout', Daily Telegraph UK, September 1, 2003.
- Daily Telegraph Obituary