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Witness History: The Iraqi journalist who hurled his shoes at George Bush

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The Iraqi journalist who hurled his shoes at George Bush

07/06/2024 GMT

BBC World Service - Witness History, The Iraqi journalist who hurled his shoes at George Bush

Iraqi journalist Muntadhar al-Zaidi threw his shoes at the President of the United States

TV journalist Muntadhar al-Zaidi threw his shoes at President George W Bush in 2008 to protest against the occupation of Iraq.

In 2008, Iraqi journalist Muntadhar al-Zaidi hurled his shoes at the President of the United States in protest at America's occupation of Iraq.

George W Bush had been giving a joint press conference in Baghdad with Iraqi prime minister Nouri al-Maliki at the time. He was in his final months as president as Barack Obama was due to take over.

As he threw the first shoe, Muntadhar yelled:  “Here is your goodbye kiss, you dog." 

He tells Vicky Farncombe how he prepared for the moment and what happened to him next.

(Photo: President Bush ducks after Muntadhar al-Zaidi threw a shoe. Credit: Reuters)

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