Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife arrived several minutes late to the Paris ceremony at which world leaders were marking the 100 years since the First World War, according to Israel’s Channel 10.
Citing the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office, the channel reported that Mr Netanyahu and his wife had turned up at the wrong location, having been given incorrect instructions.
Israeli journalist Dov Alfon tweeted: “The WW1 ceremony began at 11:19 instead of 11:10 because of #Netanyahou and wife not arriving on time.
“Since protocol could not be changed, Merkel, Trump and Putin closed the arrival sequence and the Israeli PM didn’t walk with the leaders.”
French sources: The WW1 ceremony began at 11:19 instead of 11:10 because of #Netanyahou and wife not arriving on time. Since protocol could not be changed, Merkel, Trump and Putin closed the arrival sequence and the Israeli PM didn’t walk with the leaders
— Dov Alfon (@dovalfon) November 11, 2018
This, however, was denied by the French government press office, which said: "The ceremony started just a few minutes late. This had nothing to do with the arrival of Prime Minister Netanyahu and his wife who were on time."
The ceremony started just a few minutes late. This had nothing to do with the arrival of Prime Minister Netanyahu and his wife who were on time.
— Élysée Infos (@ElyseeInfos) November 11, 2018
Mr Netanyahu held a short talk with Russia President Vladimir Putin in Paris, the leaders’ first meeting since the downing of a Russian spy plane by Syria in September following an Israeli strike.
Mr Netanyahu said after the meeting: "The conversation with Putin was good and to the point, and I would even say that it was very important, but I won't say more here."
