Ex-Netanyahu Aide Calls on PM to Leave Israel with Family
Translated & summarized from Cursorinfo by baba
Edna Halvani, a former 50-year employee of the Prime Minister's Office, has publicly criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his family, and government policies. Halvani, who worked closely with Netanyahu until 2021, cited the dismissal of civil servants, controversial government appointments like Itamar Ben-Gvir, and the aggressive judicial reform as reasons for her opposition. She also condemned Netanyahu's handling of the October 7th attacks and called for him to leave office. Halvani also described her own difficult experiences being summoned for questioning during her tenure.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Edna Halvani, a 50-year veteran of the Prime Minister's Office, is now a vocal critic of Benjamin Netanyahu.
- Halvani cited government appointments, judicial reform, and Netanyahu's post-October 7th actions as reasons for her opposition.
- She urged Netanyahu to 'take your wife and your son and leave here, far from here.'
- Halvani detailed her own distressing experiences with being summoned for questioning during her tenure.
- She worked with Netanyahu from 1996 until his penultimate term ended in 2021.
- Journalist Ben Caspit suggested October 7th victims' families should apologize to Netanyahu.
Edna Halvani, who served for approximately 50 years in the Prime Minister's Office as a coordinator and head of visits, has sharply criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his family, and the current government's decisions. Halvani, who worked with Netanyahu from 1996 until his penultimate term in 2021, stated that while her professional relationship was good, even close in recent years, she never politically supported him. She explained that after the 1995 assassination of Yitzhak Rabin, she could not vote for Netanyahu or the right-wing. Halvani detailed that her professional interactions with Netanyahu were positive, with significant recognition of her work, and she occasionally interacted with Sara Netanyahu during foreign trips.
Halvani's stance shifted dramatically in recent years, citing the dismissal or transfer of civil service employees who continued working under Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid's governments as a punitive measure. She also noted that Netanyahu did not offer well wishes upon her departure. Further disillusionment stemmed from government appointments, particularly the appointment of Itamar Ben-Gvir as Minister of Internal Security, despite Netanyahu's prior public statements against it, which Halvani believes was done to retain power. She also criticized the judicial reform as too aggressive and lacking sufficient opposition discussion.
Halvani described the events of October 7th as Israel's greatest catastrophe, attributing Netanyahu's subsequent actions to seeking excuses and blaming others to remain in power. She questioned why Netanyahu opposes a state commission of inquiry if he believes he is innocent, especially given reports of prior warnings. Halvani pledged to fight Netanyahu through all legal means, urging him to "take your wife and your son and leave here, far from here."
Her recent public criticism began after her departure from the Prime Minister's Office, which she left in 2022. Halvani also shared her distressing experience of being summoned for questioning, describing the anxiety and pressure involved, even when assured she was not a suspect. She noted the investigators were understanding, but the experience remained difficult.
Separately, journalist Ben Caspit stated that families of October 7th victims should apologize to Netanyahu.
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