Prominent Egyptian businessman Naguib Sawiris has firmly denied reports that he travelled to Israel and met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying he would have announced such a visit had it taken place. The denial came during a phone interview with the al-Hadath al-Youm channel on Tuesday evening, where Sawiris described the claims as false and criticised media figures who discussed them without verification.
Naguib Sawiris denies meeting Netanyahu
In the interview, Sawiris said he was saddened to see journalists repeat allegations he considered untrue. “If it were true, I would have announced it… I’m not afraid of anything,” he told the broadcaster. He added that he did not know who might benefit from spreading the story but stressed that speculation should not be treated as fact.
Sawiris also made clear his personal stance towards the Israeli prime minister, using strong language to reject any suggestion of a greeting or private discussion. “It’s inconceivable that I would even go and greet someone who just committed a massacre and killed 60,000 people. What would I say to him!?” he asked, framing his denial in moral terms and drawing attention to the emotive context surrounding recent events in the region.
The businessman’s remarks come after social media posts and a small number of broadcasts suggested he had undertaken a private visit to Israel. Those claims spread quickly online, prompting reactions from commentators and the public. Sawiris accused two media figures in particular of discussing the story despite knowing, or at least not knowing, whether it was true.
Born into one of Egypt’s wealthiest families, Sawiris is a high-profile figure in business and philanthropy with interests spanning telecommunications, construction and investments across the region. His prominence means any suggestion of contact with Israeli authorities attracts heightened attention in Egypt, where public opinion remains sensitive to relations with Israel.
While Sawiris has business ties across the Middle East and beyond, his public repudiation of the alleged meeting underscores the reputational risks associated with unverified reporting. Analysts say rapid spread of misinformation on social platforms can cause significant reputational damage even when claims are later retracted.
Media ethics advocates and some commentators have seized on the episode as a reminder of the responsibility broadcasters and online commentators hold when reporting on figures whose actions have political implications. Sawiris’s insistence that he would have publicly announced any official visit is intended to close the debate, though sceptics note that denials do not always end rumours.
As the story settles, observers will watch whether the outlets that raised the allegations issue clarifications or corrections. For now, Sawiris’s statement stands as a clear rejection of the claims and a personal condemnation of any association with the Israeli prime minister amid a fraught regional backdrop.
Image credit: provided image
Key Takeaways:
- Egyptian businessman Naguib Sawiris publicly denied reports that he visited Israel and met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
- Sawiris criticised media figures for airing unverified claims and insisted he would have announced such a visit if it had occurred.
- He strongly rejected any association with Netanyahu, calling it inconceivable to greet someone he accused of causing mass civilian deaths.
