After Intense Backlash Against Sara Netanyahu, Eylon Levy Avoids Being Fired

ISRAEL (VINnews) — Israeli spokesman Eylon Levy, who has become a global sensation, was nearly ousted from his position by the wife of Prime Minster Binyamin Netanyahu.

According to Israeli media, Sara Netanyahu tried to have Levy fired from his role, over his participation in the Israeli judicial reform protests against her husband last summer.

Tweets by Levy from that turbulent time frame have reportedly circulated among the prime minister’s inner circle.

However, after heavy backlash against Mrs. Netanyahu, she has apparently backed down.

After breaking the news Sunday that the prime minister’s wife was pressing for Levy’s removal because of his prewar opposition to the government and his participation in protests, Channel 12 news said Monday evening that the decision to dismiss him “within the next few weeks” was reversed due to the public outcry.

The network added, however, that Levy’s media appearances had already been cut back by his superiors at the National Public Diplomacy Directorate.

The directorate has denied that Sara Netanyahu was pushing Levy’s dismissal for personal reasons.

According to an unsourced Channel 12 report, the official reason provided for Levy’s dismissal, had it gone ahead, was the government’s desire to present a more “diverse” face to the international media.

The chairman of the subcommittee for foreign policy and information, MK Ze’ev Elkin, has sent a letter to the director of public diplomacy, Moshik Aviv, following the rumors that Levy’s briefings were to be reduced, or terminated.

The letter reads, “During the discussions we held in the subcommittee, the name of Eylon Levy, a speaker in the hasbara (public diplomacy) system, came up several times in positive contexts. During the tour of the subcommittee in the hasbara system, you yourself mentioned Levy’s work as worthy of praise.

“We were surprised to hear a report in the media according to which it was decided to reduce Levy’s briefings to the foreign media and that his impeachment is even being considered in light of pressure from foreign parties,” the letter continues. “If a quick and detailed response to this letter is not received, we will be forced to put the issue on the committee’s agenda.”

Channel 12 also reported that in addition to seeking Levy’s dismissal, Sara Netanyahu reprimanded Israel’s Ambassador to the UK Tzipi Hotovely for praising.

Earlier in January, Levy met with Hotovely and the two filmed a short video together in Hebrew, in which she referred to him as a “wonderful public diplomacy star.”

Levy has become a huge sensation representing the Israeli government. In a widespread interview with Sky News anchor Kay Burley, he raised his eyebrows in shock, and then a split second later answered in a way that made every supporter of Israel proud.

Burley asked whether the hostage deal, to trade 150 Palestinian prisoners for just 50 hostages held by Hamas – meant that Israel valued Palestinian lives less than Israeli ones.

Asked to comment, Levy answered, with arched eyebrows in a look of shock, that the comment was “an astonishing accusation.”

“If we could release one prisoner for every hostage, we would do that. We are operating in horrific circumstances,” he said.

“We’re not choosing to release these prisoners who have blood on their hands. We are talking about people who have been convicted of stabbing and shooting attacks,” Levy stressed.