Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed his chief of staff following the leak of remarks in which the aide allegedly made racist comments that sparked widespread outrage.
In a statement posted on X late Sunday, Netanyahu confirmed that Ziv Agmon would step down from his role in the coming days.
“Ziv Agmon will leave his post in the coming days once his successor, Ido Norden, takes office,” the prime minister said.
Agmon, who had been serving as Netanyahu’s acting chief of staff and spokesperson, drew strong criticism last week after leaked comments reportedly showed him referring to Jews of Moroccan descent as “baboons”.
The remarks also allegedly included disparaging comments about members of the ruling Likud party, as well as Netanyahu’s wife and son.
The controversy triggered a backlash from political figures and members of the public, prompting pressure on the prime minister to act.
Netanyahu’s decision to replace Agmon represented a sudden reversal.
Less than two hours before announcing the dismissal, the Likud party’s official Telegram channel had quoted the prime minister saying he wanted Agmon to remain in the role for the sake of “stability and continuity”.
The appointment of Norden, however, has also drawn scrutiny.
Israeli journalists reported on Monday that he had previously created fake accounts on X to promote his book about what he describes as a “deep state” in Israel.
In the book, Norden argues that shadowy institutional forces were responsible for Israel’s failure to prevent the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023.
His appointment is still subject to security vetting by 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 in Israel’s public sector.
The group has criticised what it describes as a lack of ideological balance within state institutions.
The latest development adds to a series of controversies surrounding Netanyahu’s inner circle in recent months.
One of the prime minister’s close allies, Tzachi Braverman, who has been designated as Israel’s future ambassador to London, was recently questioned by police over alleged interference in an investigation into a leak related to the Gaza war.
Members of Netanyahu’s team have also faced scrutiny in the so-called “Qatargate” scandal, in which former aides are accused of receiving funds from Qatar to improve the country’s image in Israel during the ongoing conflict.
The latest shake-up underscores the continuing political turbulence within the Israeli leader’s administration as the country navigates multiple domestic and international challenges.
