Boris Johnson Claims Netanyahu Secretly Recorded Him in His Bathroom During 2017 Visit

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has made a surprising statement in his upcoming book, claiming that during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s 2017 visit to the Foreign Office, a listening device was found in his bathroom. Johnson stated that Netanyahu left to use the bathroom during their meeting, describing it as a “secret annex” reminiscent of a luxurious restroom in a London club. Subsequently, a routine security check revealed a bug in the toilet area, leading to speculations of potential espionage.

This incident occurred while Johnson served as Foreign Secretary, a time marked by significant diplomatic interactions with Israel. In his memoir titled Unleashed, Johnson mentions that the bug was discovered shortly after Netanyahu’s use of the facilities, but he refrains from directly accusing the Israeli government of planting it. The British government has not confirmed whether they confronted Israel about the alleged bugging.

NEW: Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson claims a listening device was found in his bathroom after it was used by Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu.

Johnson claims his security team found bugging devices in the toilets after they were used by Netanyahu.

Johnson says Netanyahu… pic.twitter.com/fQFglZcvCc

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) October 3, 2024

This disclosure, set to be elaborated on in Johnson’s book, raises concerns about Israeli intelligence activities, adding to ongoing claims of espionage against Netanyahu’s government. Although there is no direct evidence linking Netanyahu or his delegation to the device, the timing of its discovery has sparked speculations.

Israel has faced prior surveillance controversies, with a 2019 report accusing the country of placing bugs near sensitive locations in Washington, such as the White House. Israel has consistently denied these accusations.

Allegedly Netanyahu left a bugging device in Boris Johnson’s bathroom when he used his toilet😂 pic.twitter.com/EengDnj6Jo

— Ross McCulloch (@Rossmac212) October 4, 2024

Johnson’s narrative also includes a light-hearted moment from the same meeting where he humorously presented Netanyahu with a Bic pen, joking that it was the one used to sign the historic Balfour Declaration. This joke reportedly left Netanyahu genuinely impressed. While this anecdote provided levity, the implications of the bugging claim are more serious as they could strain diplomatic relations between the UK and Israel.

The Israeli embassy in London has not commented on Johnson’s allegations, and it remains uncertain if this discovery has had any lasting diplomatic consequences.

When Johnson’s memoir is released, it is expected to spark further discussions, not only about the bugging allegations but also concerning his criticisms of various political figures, including Dominic Cummings, whom he compared to a “homicidal robot” aiming to undermine his leadership while at 10 Downing Street.

This is not the first time Israeli espionage allegations have emerged. Apart from the Washington incident, there have been rumors of hidden surveillance activities in Europe. Nonetheless, Netanyahu’s government consistently denies involvement in such operations, and Israel continues to be one of the UK’s closest allies in the Middle East. As Johnson prepares for the release of his memoir, these fresh allegations may revive old tensions and impact the intricate relationship between the two nations.