Outrage Erupts As Netanyahu Fires Top Aide For Racist Remarks
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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.
In a statement posted late Sunday on X, Netanyahu said Agmon would step down in the coming days.
“Ziv Agmon will leave his post in the coming days once his successor, Ido Norden, takes office,” he announced.
Agmon, who served as acting chief of staff and as spokesperson to the prime minister, came under fire after reports claimed he referred to Jews of Moroccan descent as “baboons.”
He was also accused of making derogatory comments about members of Netanyahu’s Likud party, as well as about the prime minister’s wife and son.
The revelations sparked widespread condemnation, prompting a swift response from the prime minister’s office.
The decision to remove Agmon represents a notable reversal by Netanyahu. Just hours earlier, the Likud party’s official Telegram channel had quoted him as expressing support for Agmon remaining in office in the interest of “stability and continuity.”
Agmon’s replacement, Ido Norden, is also facing scrutiny over past controversies. Reports suggest he allegedly operated fake X accounts to promote his book on the “deep state,” in which he attributed Israel’s failure to prevent the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack to hidden institutional influences.
His appointment still requires approval from the Shin Bet.
Norden, a lawyer and economist, currently chairs the “Forum of Senior Officials,” a right-wing think tank that advocates for greater ideological diversity within Israel’s public sector and has criticized what it calls a lack of varied perspectives in government institutions.
The development adds to a series of controversies involving Netanyahu’s close circle. Recently, his associate Tzachi Braverman was reportedly questioned by police over alleged interference in a leak investigation tied to the Gaza conflict.
Additionally, members of Netanyahu’s team have faced scrutiny in the so-called “Qatargate” scandal, in which former aides are accused of receiving funds from Qatar to influence Israel’s image during the ongoing conflict.
