Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed his chief of staff Ziv Agmon following the leak of racist comments targeting Jews of Moroccan descent and members of his own inner circle.
Agmon, who served as both acting chief of staff and spokesperson, sparked widespread outrage after reportedly calling Jews of Moroccan heritage 'baboons' in private conversations. The leaked remarks also included disparaging comments about Netanyahu's wife and son, as well as members of the ruling Likud party.
Ziv Agmon will leave his post in the coming days once his successor, Ido Norden, takes office
Benjamin Netanyahu — X post
The dismissal marked a dramatic reversal for Netanyahu. Less than two hours before announcing Agmon's departure, the Likud party's official Telegram channel had quoted the prime minister expressing his desire to keep Agmon in position for 'stability and continuity.'
Netanyahu's chosen replacement, Ido Norden, brings his own controversies. Israeli journalists revealed that Norden created fake social media accounts to promote his book about Israel's 'deep state,' which attributes the country's failure to prevent the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack to shadowy institutional forces.
Turkish media emphasizes the racist nature of the remarks and the broader pattern of scandals plaguing Netanyahu's administration. The coverage highlights internal Israeli dysfunction and moral failures, aligning with Turkey's increasingly strained relationship with Israel over Gaza policies.