In the midst of a new political and media storm, the Minister of Culture in the occupying government, Miki Zohar, strongly defended the nomination of Yair Netanyahu, the son of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, for a "high position" within the structure of the "World Zionist Organization."
Zohar did not stop at defending; he launched a counterattack on the critics of the decision, "describing the attack on the nomination as a vile persecution."
This rigid stance from the minister came "in response to strong opposition accusations," which quickly described this nomination process as representing political "hypocrisy" and a nepotistic appointment.
Following the significant uproar that this issue caused immediately after it was revealed in media reports, it seems that the initial repercussions have begun to appear quickly at the procedural level.
The "permanent committee of the World Zionist Organization in Jerusalem announced a halt to its work on Wednesday evening," which practically means that "the vote on the appointment has been frozen" for now, pending the outcome of negotiations behind the scenes.
In contrast, Minister Miki Zohar, a prominent figure in the ruling "Likud Party" led by Netanyahu the elder, provided a counter-narrative to what is happening.
"Zohar accused the opposition of hypocrisy," hinting that they practice double standards regarding political appointments.
Zohar posed a rhetorical question to the opponents, "saying: how is it possible for them to appoint dozens of close associates and relatives in national institutions, then try to prevent one of them simply because his last name is Netanyahu?"
Thus, the minister framed the ongoing controversy in personal terms, considering that the attack is not directed against the appointment itself, but against the name "Netanyahu" as a family.
The minister described the criticisms as "a vile persecution of Yair Netanyahu" specifically.
In an attempt to legitimize the candidate's competence, "Zohar added that the Prime Minister's son has only sought to defend the occupation abroad."
This reference seems aimed at portraying Yair Netanyahu as a soldier defending the image of the occupation internationally, which qualifies him, from the minister's perspective, for a high media position in the Zionist organization, especially considering his known activity on social media platforms.
Under pressure, Zohar showed a strong adherence to his decision, "and Miki Zohar confirmed his commitment to the nomination," even going further, taking a rigid stance "saying he would not withdraw his nomination even if the Prime Minister asked him to."
After "the uproar caused by the media reports" regarding the position, specifically after revealing the significant benefits associated with it, where "it is believed to come with the benefits of a 'minister's salary'," making it a highly valuable political appointment, "the work of the permanent committee of the World Zionist Organization in Jerusalem stopped on Wednesday evening."
Media sources, specifically the newspaper "Yedioth Ahronoth," confirmed that the appointment process has indeed stopped, and that "the vote on the appointment did not take place" as planned.
The newspaper quoted informed sources stating that "Yair Netanyahu's nomination surprised the participants" in the meeting.
This surprise indicates that the nomination may not have been coordinated as usual or was included at the last moment, which heightened the reaction.
"It is now expected" that the crisis will be deferred, as "further discussions on this matter will take place over the next two weeks," in an attempt to find a way out of the agreement or to retract it.
"This ongoing controversy" surrounding the son's appointment "comes at a time when officials in the World Zionist Organization" revealed parallel moves being made by the father.
The officials clarified "that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently met with representatives during a visit to New York."
"According to the officials" themselves, Netanyahu the elder "asked them to support Miki Zohar's nomination" (the same minister who nominated his son) "to head the World Zionist Organization."
This "nomination was officially announced by the minister on Wednesday."
This information places the son's nomination in the context of a potential political "deal": Netanyahu's support for Zohar to head the organization, in exchange for Zohar appointing Netanyahu's son to a high position "with a minister's salary."
As for "Netanyahu the son" himself, he is a controversial figure in his own right.
He has "spent most of the past two years in Miami, Florida," away from the occupied territories, which has intensified criticisms regarding his suitability for the position, especially given
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"Furious anger in the occupation... The nomination of Netanyahu's son for a 'ministerial salary' position ignites a crisis."