After criticism from both the opposition and his own party for keeping on his embattled spokesman and chief of staff Ziv Agmon, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said late Sunday that he will be replaced in the coming days.
Agmon had offered his resignation after his derogatory remarks about Likud lawmakers of Middle Eastern, or Mizrahi, descent were leaked to the press, but Netanyahu said earlier Sunday evening that he had apologized and would remain in his role until a replacement was found.
“I have received Ziv Agmon’s apology,” Netanyahu said in a statement released by his office. “The remarks attributed to him should not have been said, and it is good that a clear apology was issued for them.”
Israel “is facing serious challenges, and responsibility requires stability and functional continuity,” Netanyahu said, adding that he has never heard any racism from Agmon.
“Based on my deep familiarity with his work, professionalism, and loyalty to the state, I asked him to continue in his role until a suitable replacement is found,” said Netanyahu.
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The announcement appeared to catch Likud lawmakers off guard, with several breaking rank and issuing a rare rebuke of the premier.
Ziv Agmon, acting chief of staff and spokesperson for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, walks outside his office at the Knesset in Jerusalem, February 23, 2026. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
“You cannot spit in our faces and tell us it’s raining,” fumed MK Eli Revivo, who was derided by Agmon as a “retarded Moroccan.”
“Anyone who chooses to keep him in his circles or as his envoy thinks like him, period,” Revivo declared of Agmon. “I will continue to fight the fight of Likud voters to ensure that such a person does not remain in any position of influence today or in the future.”
“Ziv Agmon is not worthy of serving alongside the prime minister… even if he apologized,” insisted MK Nissim Vaturi, whom Agmon had called a “baboon.”
Likud MK Nissim Vaturi speaks during a conference at the Reichman University in Herzliya, on January 22, 2026. (Tal Gal/Flash90)
“Ziv Agmon’s conduct cannot be normalized, not even temporarily,” MK Moshe Saada likewise warned. “He acted correctly by apologizing and taking responsibility, but he cannot serve in a symbolic and representative public role, not even for a day, even after apologizing.”
Opposition Leader Yair Lapid also joined in, accusing Netanyahu of tolerating bigotry, saying: “Netanyahu has once again proven that the biggest racists in the country are in the Prime Minister’s Office. It’s a shame and disgrace. Unparalleled wretchedness.”
After the chorus of criticism from his own party, Netanyahu reversed course, saying on X that Agmon’s replacement, Ido Norden, is in the onboarding process and will begin in the near future.
Norden, the author of a book about Israel’s “deep state,” has served in the Bank of Israel and Israel’s Innovation Authority.
This was not the first time Agmon has come under fire for his behavior, as last year the Israel Bar Association’s disciplinary court decided to suspend him for violating the duty of loyalty to a client and for behavior unbecoming of a lawyer.
Agmon’s suspension was scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2025, but he has appealed the ruling to the Jerusalem District Court, which has frozen the suspension until it issues a final ruling.
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