Sara Netanyahu said to rap envoy for praising spokesman she wanted canned for his pre-war opposition to gov’t

Sara Netanyahu reportedly reprimanded Israel’s Ambassador to the UK Tzipi Hotovely for publishing a video with English-language government spokesman Eylon Levy, in which the ambassador praised him for his effort defending Israel on the international stage.

Yesterday, Channel 12 reported that Netanyahu was pressing for Levy’s dismissal because of his prewar opposition to the government and participation in demonstrations against her husband’s judicial overhaul agenda.

Earlier today, the network reported that Levy was to have been canned “within the next few weeks,” but that due to the public outcry caused by the story, it has been decided that that would not be a good idea right now.

Israel’s ambassador to the UK Tzipi Hotovely arrives for Britain’s Defence Secretary Grant Shapps’ speech on defending the UK and its allies, at Lancaster House, in London, on January 15, 2024. (HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP)

The latest report from Channel 12 reveals that Netanyahu has also directed her anger at the former Likud minister now serving as ambassador in London.

Netanyahu’s office denies the report, while Hotovely’s declines to respond.

לא רק אילון לוי סופג אש, גם מי שהעזה לעזור ולפרגן לו. הערב דיווחנו כי שרה נתניהו נזפה בשגרירת ישראל בלונדון, ציפי חוטובלי, על כך שסייעה לאילון בביקורו בלונדון והעלתה איתו ציוץ שבו פירגנה לו על עבודתו. בלשכת רה״מ מכחישים, חוטובלי לא הגיבה. אגב זה היה ביקור מוצלח ביותר מבחינת הסברה… pic.twitter.com/FztThnvYzK

— דפנה ליאל (@DaphnaLiel) January 22, 2024