Bush Shoe Attack Video: Iraqi Journalist Throws Shoes At Bush During Press Conference

An Iraqi journalist threw both of his shoes at President George W. Bush on his farewell visit to Iraq on Sunday, showing the hostility still felt toward Bush. Muntazer al-Zaidi stood up to call Bush a dog and then threw the shoes. Read more and see other photos of the Bush shoe attack below.

Iraqi journalist, Muntazer al-Zaidi jumped up as Bush held a press conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, shouted “It is the farewell kiss, you dog” and threw his footwear.

President Bush quickly lowered his head as the first shoe hit the American and Iraqi flags behind the two leaders. The second shoe was also off target. Guess the journalist throws like a girl!

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Zaidi, a reporter with the Al-Baghdadia channel which broadcasts from Cairo, was quickly wrestled to the ground by security guards and frogmarched from the room.

Soles of shoes are considered the ultimate insult in Arab culture. After Saddam Hussein’s statue was toppled in Baghdad in April 2003, many onlookers beat the statue’s face with their soles.

Bush laughed off the incident, saying: “It doesn’t bother me. If you want the facts, it was a size 10 shoe that he threw”.

He later played down the incident. “I don’t know what the guy’s cause is… I didn’t feel the least bit threatened by it.”

Bush, on his fourth and final official trip to Iraq since he ordered the March 2003 invasion that toppled Saddam, admitted: “There is still more work to be done.”

Here’s video of the Bush shoe attack below:

Images: AP/AFP

Source: news

Posted by: Monya

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