Netanyahu's spokesperson quits amid tensions with Sara Netanyahu
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Omer Dostri has resigned as Prime Minister Netanyahu's spokesperson amid internal PMO tensions and escalating conflicts with Sara Netanyahu, whose history of scandals and influence over office affairs has renewed scrutiny during a time of mounting international pressure on "Israel" over its war on Gaza.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's spokesman Omer Dostri sitting next to Netanyahu himself (Agencies)
Omer Dostri, spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has resigned less than a year into his role, Israeli media reported Saturday. His departure comes amid escalating internal tensions in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), including reported friction with Netanyahu’s wife, Sara Netanyahu.
Dostri submitted his resignation shortly before Netanyahu’s upcoming trip to the United States, which he will no longer attend. According to Ynet, PMO sources said Dostri "did not mesh with the office staff from the beginning, and his departure was expected."
However, several reports point to more serious underlying issues, particularly a deteriorating working relationship with Sara Netanyahu. “Dostri's decision to leave immediately was due to a series of escalating conflicts with Sara Netanyahu, who played a significant role in poisoning the work environment within the office,” Ynet reported.
The Jerusalem Post added that Dostri had faced internal criticism after a series of missteps during a Washington visit, including the premature release of sensitive information about a Hamas hostage list. This error reportedly angered the prime minister and led to his reprimand.
Toxic Influence
Sara Netanyahu’s role in the fallout has reignited scrutiny. Over the years, she has been at the center of multiple public scandals, from a 2019 criminal conviction for misusing public funds to several lawsuits filed by former employees alleging verbal abuse, humiliation, and hostile working conditions. Labor courts have ruled in favor of staff who accused her of mistreatment, and her influence over staffing has raised concerns about blurred lines between private and official authority.
This latest incident underscores long-standing criticism that Sara Netanyahu holds disproportionate sway within the PMO. Observers argue that her repeated entanglements with government personnel point to a pattern of unchecked interference that has destabilized the prime minister’s inner circle.
Read more: PM Netanyahu's wife accuses senior military chiefs of coup attempt
Dostri’s resignation also comes at a time of intense global scrutiny. This latest departure comes at a sensitive moment for the Israeli leadership, as Netanyahu faces intense international pressure due to his role in the Gaza genocide.
No successor for Dostri has been named yet.
