Civil service urges suspension of aide to PM’s wife for tirades against ‘traitors’
Head of discipline department slams posts by Tzipi Navon, who called critics of Netanyahu ‘treasonous kikes’ and ‘scum’ in wake of deadly Hamas assault on southern Israel
The Civil Service Commission called on Sunday for Sara Netanyahu’s chief of staff to be suspended for a series of inflammatory Facebook posts lashing out at so-called “leftists” amid the ongoing war in Gaza, sparked by the Hamas terror group’s deadly surprise assault in southern Israel.
In a letter to Yossi Shelley, the director-general of the Prime Minister’s Office, Guy David, the head of the Civil Service Commission’s discipline department, flagged a number of posts in recent days by Tzipi Navon, including her use of the terms “traitors,” “treasonous kikes,” “scum” and “fifth column.”
In one Facebook post denouncing a group criticizing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the October 7 Hamas massacre, Navon wrote that “traitors from the left are continuing to incite” against the premier.
In another post she wrote that Channel 12 and 13 were trying to “divide and harm Jewish morale” during the current war with Gaza, and separately called Channel 12 “fifth columnists.”
In another post, Navon reposted a picture of body bags, ostensibly of victims of the Hamas massacre, writing: “Well pedophile friend, Brothers in Arms, the air force and army enlistment refusers, are you satisfied now???” in reference to former prime minister Ehud Barak and the anti-judicial overhaul movement.
Sara Netanyahu’s chief of staff is a state-paid position in the civil service working as an employee in the prime minister’s residence, which is under the authority of the Prime Minister’s Office.
ציפי נבון, היועצת הקרובה ומנהלת לשכתה של אשת ראש הממשלה שרה נתניהו, מפרסמת מאז תחילת המלחמה פוסטים מסיתים נגד אנשי שמאל בחשבונות שלה ברשתות החברתיות. "עוד לא סיימנו לקבור את מתינו, אנחנו רק בתחילתה של מלחמה, והבוגדים משמאל ממשיכים בהסתה", כתבה בין השאר.
ציפי נבון. "אל תצפו… pic.twitter.com/dEO3euwmo4
— the little prince (@thelitt80824365) October 14, 2023
“These statements are grave and offensive, and are not appropriate for a state employee, especially when it comes to an employee of the Prime Minister’s Office,” David wrote to Shelley, calling for Navon to be suspended for violating the terms of employment for civil servants.
David added that the timing of the posts amid a war added to their gravity.
He also noted that Navon, whose Facebook account is currently locked, has previously faced disciplinary proceedings and been officially admonished for her social media activity.
“From her comments it seems [Navon] committed discipline offenses… by acting in a manner inappropriate for a civil servant and which could harm the image or good name of the civil service,” David said.
There was no immediate comment from the Prime Minister’s Office on David’s letter.
