Israel’s head of cabinet Ziv Agmon has to resign from his post after a statement about Moroccan Jews. His designated successor is also controversial.
April 7, 2026, 1:07 p.mApril 7, 2026, 1:07 p.m
Israel’s head of government Benjamin Netanyahu dismisses his head of cabinet after racist and other controversial statements. “Ziv Agmon will leave his post in the coming days when his successor Ido Norden takes office,” said Netanyahu on Sunday evening on Platform X.
Benjamin Netanyahu fired Ziv Agmon.Image: keystone
According to media reports, Agmon, who also served as Netanyahu’s spokesman, described Jews of Moroccan origin as “baboons.” He also sharply criticized MPs from Netanyahu’s Likud party as well as Netanyahu’s wife Sarah and his son Yair.
Agmon’s successor is also controversial
The Prime Minister initially accepted Agmon’s apology. On the Likud party’s official channel on the Telegram online service, Netanyahu was quoted on Sunday as saying that Agmon should remain in office to ensure “stability and continuity.” Less than two hours later, Netanyahu announced Agmon’s dismissal.
There was also criticism of his designated successor, Norden, on Monday. The lawyer and economist is said to have opened false user accounts on X in order to advertise his book.
Norden is head of the right-wing think tank “Forum of Senior Civil Servants”, which oversees the public service in Israel very critical of it. Before he can become Netanyahu’s cabinet chief, he must undergo a security clearance by the domestic intelligence service Shin Bet.