Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has dismissed his Chief of Staff, Ziv Agmon, following public outrage over leaked comments in which he allegedly made racist remarks.
Announcing the decision late Sunday via a post on 𝕏, Netanyahu stated that Agmon would step down in the coming days, in what observers describe as a swift response to mounting backlash.
The controversy had sparked widespread criticism, prompting urgent action from the Prime Minister’s office.
In a notable reversal, less than two hours before confirming Agmon’s removal, the ruling Likud party’s official Telegram channel had quoted Netanyahu expressing a preference for Agmon to remain in office for the sake of “stability and continuity.”
Agmon’s successor, Norden, is already facing scrutiny over past actions. Israeli journalists have reported that he allegedly created fake accounts on 𝕏 to promote his book on the “deep state,” in which he attributed Israel’s failure to prevent the October 7 attacks on Israel to shadowy institutional forces.
His appointment is also subject to clearance by the Shin Bet.
Norden, a lawyer and economist, currently chairs the “Forum of Senior Officials,” a right-wing think tank that advocates greater ideological diversity within Israel’s public sector. The group has frequently criticised what it describes as a “uniformity of thought” within government institutions.
The latest development adds to a growing list of controversies surrounding Netanyahu’s inner circle.
In recent weeks, his close ally, Tzachi Braverman, who has been designated as Israel’s future ambassador to London, was reportedly questioned by police over alleged interference in a leak investigation related to the Gaza war.
Additionally, Netanyahu’s aides have come under scrutiny in the so-called “Qatargate” scandal, where former associates are accused of receiving funds from Qatar to improve the country’s image in Israel during the conflict.
The situation underscores ongoing tensions and controversies within the Israeli government as the country continues to navigate political and security challenges.
