{"id":377010,"date":"2026-04-06T00:00:12","date_gmt":"2026-04-06T00:00:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/377010\/"},"modified":"2026-04-06T00:00:12","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T00:00:12","slug":"after-likud-backlash-netanyahu-u-turns-says-his-embattled-aide-to-be-replaced","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/377010\/","title":{"rendered":"After Likud backlash, Netanyahu U-turns, says his embattled aide to be replaced"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.<\/p>\n

Agmon had offered his resignation after his derogatory remarks<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have received Ziv Agmon\u2019s apology,\u201d Netanyahu said in a statement released by his office. \u201cThe remarks attributed to him should not have been said, and it is good that a clear apology was issued for them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Israel \u201cis facing serious challenges, and responsibility requires stability and functional continuity,\u201d Netanyahu said, adding that\u00a0he has never heard any racism from Agmon.<\/p>\n

\u201cBased 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,\u201d said Netanyahu.<\/p>\n

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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.<\/p>\n

\t\"\"<\/a>
\n\t\tZiv 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)<\/p>\n

\u201cYou cannot spit in our faces and tell us it\u2019s raining,\u201d fumed MK Eli Revivo, who was derided by Agmon as a \u201cretarded Moroccan.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnyone who chooses to keep him in his circles or as his envoy thinks like him, period,\u201d Revivo declared of Agmon. \u201cI 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cZiv Agmon is not worthy of serving alongside the prime minister\u2026 even if he apologized,\u201d insisted MK Nissim Vaturi, whom Agmon had called a \u201cbaboon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\t\"\"<\/a>
\n\t\tLikud MK Nissim Vaturi speaks during a conference at the Reichman University in Herzliya, on January 22, 2026. (Tal Gal\/Flash90)<\/p>\n

\u201cZiv Agmon\u2019s conduct cannot be normalized, not even temporarily,\u201d MK Moshe Saada likewise warned. \u201cHe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Opposition Leader Yair Lapid also joined in, accusing Netanyahu of tolerating bigotry, saying: \u201cNetanyahu has once again proven that the biggest racists in the country are in the Prime Minister\u2019s Office. It\u2019s a shame and disgrace. Unparalleled wretchedness.\u201d<\/p>\n

After the chorus of criticism from his own party, Netanyahu reversed course, saying on X that Agmon\u2019s replacement, Ido Norden, is in the onboarding process and will begin in the near future.<\/p>\n

Norden, the author of a book about Israel\u2019s \u201cdeep state,\u201d has served in the Bank of Israel and Israel\u2019s Innovation Authority.<\/p>\n

This was not the first time Agmon has come under fire for his behavior, as last year the Israel Bar Association\u2019s disciplinary court decided to suspend him for violating the duty of loyalty to a client and for behavior unbecoming of a lawyer.<\/p>\n

Agmon\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n


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