Netanyahu Dismisses Office Spokesperson Amid Controversy Over Reasons

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed his office spokesperson, Omer Dosteri, days before heading to Washington to meet with US President Donald Trump, in a move that sparked speculation about the true reasons behind the decision.


Netanyahu's office stated in an official announcement that Dosteri "expressed his desire to end his duties and embark on a new path," but Israeli media reports quoted sources close to Netanyahu as saying that the dismissal was due to Dosteri's "inefficiency" and lack of sufficient experience in managing complex media files.



Israeli Channel "13" mentioned that the main reason for the dismissal was the sharp disagreements between Dosteri and Netanyahu's wife, Sara Netanyahu, known for her extensive involvement in appointing senior staff, while sources close to the Prime Minister denied this narrative and confirmed to "Walla News" that the issue "is solely related to the spokesperson's performance."


According to Hebrew media, Dosteri faced several reprimands in recent months, especially after publishing uncontrolled images during Israeli strikes against Iran, revealing sensitive information. Additionally, his office previously made a mistake in a statement regarding a list of hostages on their way to be released from Gaza, necessitating an urgent correction due to ambiguous wording.



Netanyahu decided to appoint Likud party activist Ziv Agmon as an interim spokesperson with expectations of his later confirmation in the position.

Agmon is known for his closeness to Netanyahu's office director, Tzahi Braverman, as well as his good relationship with Sara Netanyahu, as reported by local media outlets.


Despite the dismissal, Netanyahu's office praised Dosteri's "dedication" in their farewell statement during what they described as "the most complex" period in terms of security and politics in the country.