Former PMO Chief Yoav Horowitz Alleges Netanyahu Family's Personal Loyalty Demands and Influence

Yoav Horowitz, former Chief of Staff and CEO of the Israeli Prime Minister's Office, recently gave a revealing interview accusing Benjamin and Sara Netanyahu of demanding personal loyalty from their staff and exerting significant influence over government decisions. Horowitz claimed that loyalty to the Netanyahu family was an overriding requirement within the Prime Minister's Office, describing it as an obsession shared by both Benjamin and Sara Netanyahu.

Horowitz also recounted an incident from 2018 known as the "pen affair," where Sara Netanyahu allegedly shouted at then-PMO CEO Eli Groner and threatened him with a pen. Horowitz admitted to physically removing Sara Netanyahu from the room during the confrontation. He said this event was a turning point that led him to want to resign, though he emphasized that his departure was not solely due to Sara Netanyahu, stating that the couple acted as one.

He further alleged that the Netanyahu family directly interfered in official matters, including discussions with ministers and security officials, blurring the lines between personal, economic, political, and security issues. Horowitz said Prime Minister Netanyahu was aware of these dynamics.

In response, attorney Kinneret Barashi criticized Horowitz's timing and questioned why he remained silent for so many years, noting that Horowitz was expected to testify in the "thousands case" but the prosecution waived his testimony. Barashi suggested this indicated the prosecution found his testimony insufficient. She challenged Horowitz's claims by asking, "If Israel is so important to you, why did you stay silent all these years?"

Horowitz also revealed that he refused to implement a directive to have PMO employees sign loyalty pledges to the Netanyahu family, despite being instructed to do so by the Prime Minister himself. This refusal underscored his objections to the personal loyalty culture within the office.

The revelations have sparked debate about the Netanyahu family's role in government operations and the prosecution's handling of related testimonies.