Israel’s prime minister is coming under fire for nominating a new spokesman who has criticized U.S. leaders as well as Israel’s president in social media posts.
The outcry has centered over comments that the nominee, Ran Baratz, made about Israel’s largely ceremonial but widely admired President Reuven Rivlin, who he called “a marginal figure.”
Israeli media say the president’s office has asked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for clarifications. Netanyahu’s office nominated Baratz on Wednesday.
In another post, Baratz says President Barack Obama’s response to Netanyahu’s speech to Congress this year was an example of “modern anti-Semitism.”
Netanyahu’s office said Thursday it had been unaware of the posts, calling them “inappropriate.” It says Baratz promised to act with restraint in public office.
