Business Magnate Slams Tech Entrepreneur Over Economic Claims

Businessman Ronnie Mana, once a close confidant of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, launched a scathing attack on tech entrepreneur Oren Dobronsky. The dispute erupted after Dobronsky, a panelist on the show "The Sharks," stated in a radio interview that Israel's economy is in excellent condition, better than other countries, citing people going out and buying cars.

Mana, now a vocal critic of Netanyahu, vehemently disagreed, urging Dobronsky to visit different parts of the country to see the reality. "Go to the national receiver of revenue and understand that hundreds of thousands have filed for bankruptcy," Mana wrote on social media. He criticized the idea of a millionaire with no connection to ordinary people commenting on their struggles, suggesting Dobronsky's views were detached from reality.

Mana further accused Prime Minister Netanyahu of bringing "another disconnected person" into politics, implying Dobronsky's statements were out of touch. He questioned why people struggling financially would vote for Netanyahu. Mana's criticism comes as Dobronsky officially announced he would not run for the Knesset (parliament) on the Likud party list.

Dobronsky had previously been offered a prominent spot on the Likud list and a ministerial position by Netanyahu. However, he opted to pursue a professional role as a minister for artificial intelligence (AI) instead. His decision not to enter the Knesset was reportedly due to the legal requirement to renounce his U.S. citizenship, which would have exposed him to significant capital gains taxes in the United States.