25Leaked remarks attributed to Ziv Agmon, who serves in practice as chief of staff and spokesperson to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, triggered a political storm Tuesday night after revealing sharp criticism of Netanyahu, Likud lawmakers, and members of the Sephardic community.

The comments, reportedly taken from multiple conversations—including phone calls—and broadcast by Channel 12 News, shed light on the views of one of Netanyahu’s closest remaining advisers during the ongoing war.

In the recordings, Agmon was heard making offensive remarks about Jews of Middle Eastern descent, saying: “It’s not good that Morocco was opened to Israeli tourism—now we know where our Moroccans came from. From Africa. A baboon is a monkey.”

He also directed harsh criticism at Likud Knesset members, ridiculing both their background and qualifications: “Nissim Vaturi is a baboon, Eli Revivo is a retarded Moroccan. It’s unclear how these people were elected to the Knesset. Eli Dalal is a nobody. Who would know these people? What a bunch of baboons. It’s a shame the whole list can’t just be appointed and skip the primaries.”

Agmon was further quoted making claims about the prime minister’s son: “Yair came to the Foreign Ministry and forced Eli Cohen to issue him a diplomatic passport, even though there was no justification for it.”

Following the October 7 attacks, Agmon allegedly turned his criticism toward Netanyahu himself, stating: “Bibi is finished. The question is whether a state will remain.”

He continued: “He has to go home. I wonder who will handle the hostage negotiations—Karhi or Amsalem? This is a finished country.”

Referring to reports—denied by Netanyahu—that Egypt had warned Israel ahead of the attack, Agmon said: “Likud is finished. The Egyptians need to release the recording of the conversation with Bibi—he’s done.”

Agmon also reportedly expressed interest in joining a rival political camp, saying: “I want a spot on Gantz’s list. I’m honestly much more suited to him than to the monkeys.”

He further attacked the Shas party, stating: “Shas—they only know how to take money, that’s what this party does.”

In response to the report, Agmon issued a statement denying the remarks, particularly those concerning the Sephardic community: “I do not intend to respond to all the slanderous statements attributed to me tonight, but there is one matter I cannot remain silent about. Anyone who knows me and my work with the prime minister knows very well that the words attributed to me regarding Jews of Middle Eastern descent are completely foreign to me—not least because a large part of my own family comes from Sephardic and Moroccan backgrounds. A serious injustice has been done to me here.”