The Iraqi journalist who hurled his shoes at George Bush
Witness History7 Juni 2024

The Iraqi journalist who hurled his shoes at George Bush

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.

Eye-witness accounts brought to life by archive. Witness History is for those fascinated by the past. We take you to the events that have shaped our world through the eyes of the people who were there. For nine minutes every day, we take you back in time and all over the world, to examine wars, coups, scientific discoveries, cultural moments and much more.

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

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