Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to leave for Washington on Monday to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump. But just a day before the trip, Netanyahu has dismissed his spokesperson, Omar Dostri, sparking speculation.
The matter first surfaced on Saturday (5 July) through confidential sources, but was later confirmed in a statement by the Prime Minister’s Office, which announced Dostri’s resignation.
According to the statement, Omar Dostri decided to step down from his responsibilities himself and wanted to “move in a new direction.” However, Israel’s Channel 13 claimed that Netanyahu’s wife, Sara Netanyahu, played a major role in Dostri’s removal, with reports of several heated arguments between them.
The Times of Israel reported that Sara Netanyahu’s behavior and excessive interference in administrative matters were key reasons behind Dostri’s resignation. However, the Prime Minister’s Office denied Sara’s involvement in a statement, saying the decision was made jointly by Netanyahu, his chief of staff, and Dostri himself.
The new spokesperson expected to take over is Ziv Agmon, who is said to be close to Sara Netanyahu. Media outlets Ynet and Channel 12 reported that Ziv is also a close associate of Netanyahu’s chief of staff, Chachi Braverman.
Multiple reasons have surfaced behind Dostri’s removal. A source close to Ynet said Netanyahu felt Dostri was not suitable for the role and lacked sufficient professional experience. He had already been informed that he would not accompany Netanyahu on the Washington trip and that the position was not a good fit for him.
There were also previous allegations against Dostri. In February, Hebrew media reported that Netanyahu had reprimanded him multiple times. In October, after Israel’s attack on Iran, Dostri published photos of Netanyahu at army headquarters, violating censorship rules and leaking sensitive information to international media.
Confirming Dostri’s resignation, the Prime Minister’s Office praised his work, stating, “He served with integrity and professionalism during one of the most challenging times in Israel’s history.”
Dostri himself, in a statement thanking Netanyahu, said, “I have seen up close how the Prime Minister makes important decisions for the nation. I am confident he will continue to lead Israel towards safety and a brighter future.”
It is worth noting that Omar Dostri holds a doctorate in international relations and, before becoming spokesperson, worked as a researcher at two right-wing think tanks. He was also a regular columnist in Israeli media.
