White House: Alleged leaked Obama-Netanyahu transcript a fake

WASHINGTON, July 29 (UPI) -- The White House took to Twitter Tuesday to strike down rumors regarding a leaked transcript of a phone conversation between U.S. President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday.

Obama and Netanyahu did speak on Sunday regarding the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, but the National Security Conference tweeted that "neither reports nor alleged transcript bear any resemblance to reality."

The NSC followed up, tweeting: "Shocking and disappointing someone would sink to misrepresenting a private conversation between POTUS and PM in fabrications to Israeli press."

Ben Rhodes, the White House deputy National Security Adviser for Strategic Communications and Speechwriting was more blunt, tweeting "This 'transcript of POTUS-PM call' report is totally false."

So what did the fake transcript say?

According to Israel's Channel 1, the English translation of a Hebrew transcript contained the following exchange:

Barack Obama: I demand that Israel agrees to an immediate, unilateral ceasefire and halt all offensive activities, in particular airstrikes.

Benjamin Netanyahu: And what will Israel receive in exchange for a ceasefire?

BO: I believe that Hamas will cease its rocket fire -- silence will be met with silence.

BN: Hamas broke all five previous ceasefires. It's a terrorist organization dedicated to the destruction of Israel.

BO: I repeat and expect Israel to stop all its military activities unilaterally. The pictures of destruction in Gaza distance the world from Israel's position.

BN: Kerry's proposal was completely unrealistic and gives Hamas military and diplomatic advantages.

BO: Within a week of the end of Israel's military activities, Qatar and Turkey will begin negotiations with Hamas based on the 2012 understandings, including Israel's commitment to removing the siege and restrictions on Gaza.

BN: Qatar and Turkey are the biggest supporters of Hamas. It's impossible to rely on them to be fair mediators.

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BO: I trust Qatar and Turkey. Israel is not in the position that it can choose its mediators.

BN: I protest because Hamas can continue to launch rockets and use tunnels for terror attacks --

BO: (interrupting Netanyahu) The ball's in Israel's court, and it must end all its military activities.

In contrast, the official, White House-sanctioned read-out of Sunday's phone presented a more civil, less sinister exchange between the two leaders.

During their phone call, Obama recognized Israel's right to defend itself while acknowledging "growing concern about the rising number of Palestinian civilian deaths and the loss of Israeli lives, as well as the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza."

Obama emphasized the need for "an immediate, unconditional humanitarian cease-fire" and expressed support for the Egyptian cease-fire initiative.

According to the official White House account, "The President underscored the enduring importance of ensuring Israel's security, protecting civilians, alleviating Gaza's humanitarian crisis, and enacting a sustainable ceasefire that both allows Palestinians in Gaza to lead normal lives and addresses Gaza's long-term development and economic needs, while strengthening the Palestinian Authority."