Controversial MK's selfie with Trump sparks ire, humor

After lawmaker Oren Hazan snaps a cheeky photo with visiting US president, social media critics take note

A scandal-plagued Israeli lawmaker stole a selfie with US President Donald Trump on Monday, annoying Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but setting off a flood of online humor.

Oren Hazan was not supposed to approach Trump during the welcoming ceremony at Ben Gurion Airport, but managed to “get in” to the line of dignitaries, a foreign ministry spokesman said without elaborating.

As Trump passed, the never-shy Hazan whipped out his cellphone and suggested a selfie to Trump, television footage showed.

A bewildered looking Trump agreed and the MK took the snap, although Netanyahu tried to prevent it by gently pushing Hazan’s arm.

Within a few hours, the selfie had 17,000 “likes” on Hazan’s Facebook page after the lawmaker posted it online.

Thank you, Mr. President
– it was my pleasure! ????@realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/0TMFzluPN3

— אורן חזן (@oren_haz) May 22, 2017

But it also attracted the anger of some internet users, especially in the right-wing Likud party of which Hazan and Netanyahu are both members.

“We have to get Oren Hazan out of parliament, and the sooner the better,” said Benjamin Lachkar, a member of Likud’s central committee, on Facebook.

#Israel's PM #Netanyahu unsuccessfully attempts to block his party member Oren Hazan from taking an improptu selfie with President #Trump pic.twitter.com/MHwQrjl476

— Shai Ben-ari (@ShaiBenari) May 22, 2017

Other internet users hijacked the photo, adding speech bubbles joking about the US president’s pride of having a selfie with Hazan.

https://twitter.com/IdisheRastaMan/status/866609884397277184

Another picture shows Hazan smiling while posing next to Christ on the cross.

For some, it was opportunity to poke fun at a dress worn by Culture and Sports Minister Miri Regev last week at the Cannes film festival that provoked consternation — and some ridicule — for its elaborate imagery along the hem depicting Jerusalem’s most famous sites.

Miri Regev wearing an Oren Hazan selfie dress. As seen on Facebook @JudahAriGross @LahavHarkov @EylonALevy @Gil_Hoffman pic.twitter.com/jMslO7atvq

— Sam Sokol (@SamuelSokol) May 22, 2017

Hazan was suspended in 2015 from his position as deputy speaker of Israel’s parliament after a televised report accusing him of involvement in illicit activity.

רק אומר… pic.twitter.com/YvlJbUyT1h

— Amir Moyal אמיר מויאל (@AmirMoyal) May 22, 2017

@oren_haz @realDonaldTrump #PresidentTrump in #Israel with MK Oren Hazan…well… pic.twitter.com/OphMVGZD3Y
— Itai N (@Digitai) May 22, 2017

He was also suspended for one month from any parliamentary activity in December 2015 after “insulting” behavior towards a colleague with a disability.

Asked about his exchange with the US president, Hazan told media that he was often referred to as the “Israeli Trump”.

“It was for me — and I think for him also — a historic moment,” he added.

Trump’s is the only account that Hazan follows on Twitter.