Story perspectives

Netanyahu's Spokesman Resigns After Controversial Racist Comments

3/26/2026

Center

Agmon Resigns Amid Controversy

Ziv Agmon, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's spokesman, announced his resignation after racist comments about Mizrahi Jews and Likud lawmakers were revealed.
Agmon acknowledged the quotes were real but said they were taken out of context and amounted to character assassination.
He criticized Netanyahu as 'old' and 'finished' after the October 7 Hamas attacks, then expressed regret, saying the statements do not reflect his values and noting his Moroccan heritage.

Left

Smotrich Advocates Annexation

Bezalel Smotrich, Israeli Finance Minister, has called for annexing southern Lebanon and extending Israel's border to the Litani River.
This stance accompanies ongoing military actions that have displaced over a million Lebanese citizens.
Israeli forces are intensifying operations in Syria, asserting control over areas such as Qunetra.
The actions reflect a broader Greater Israel Project that seeks to reshape borders and demographics and has gained mainstream support.

History

Historical Context

The Greater Israel Project originated after the Six-Day War in 1967, when Israel seized territories like the West Bank and Gaza Strip, creating around 300,000 Palestinian refugees. Today, calls for annexation from leaders such as Bezalel Smotrich echo this historical ambition, exacerbating military actions that have displaced over a million Lebanese citizens and complicating ongoing peace efforts in the region.

1 of 3

Agmon Resigns Amid Controversy

Ziv Agmon, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's spokesman, announced his resignation after racist comments about Mizrahi Jews and Likud lawmakers were revealed.
Agmon acknowledged the quotes were real but said they were taken out of context and amounted to character assassination.
He criticized Netanyahu as 'old' and 'finished' after the October 7 Hamas attacks, then expressed regret, saying the statements do not reflect his values and noting his Moroccan heritage.

1 / 3