Benjamin Netanyahu Faces Political Backlash Over Alleged Appointment of Spokesperson with History of Bigoted Rhetoric

Opposition leaders slam PM Netanyahu for the alleged appointment of Tal Gilboa following a series of racist remarks by his former and potential spokespeople.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 29, 2026, 7:35 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Times of Israel

The Growing Scandal in the Prime Minister's Office

The Israeli political landscape has been jolted by a Channel 12 report suggesting that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to appoint Tal Gilboa, a prominent Likud and animal rights activist, as his next spokesperson. The report has triggered immediate outrage due to Gilboa's alleged history of making highly inflammatory and bigoted public statements. According to the network, Gilboa has previously directed vitriol toward the Russian community, the LGBTQ population, and even cancer patients who do not follow a vegan lifestyle.

A History of Dehumanizing Rhetoric and Confrontation

Detailed allegations against Gilboa include shocking instances of refusing to donate blood to a leukemia patient and an eight year old cancer patient, on the basis that they were meat eaters. She reportedly suggested that the death of those who consume animal products results in less suffering globally. Furthermore, the report highlights past social media interactions where she allegedly used homophobic slurs and referred to Russian Israelis as disgusting. These revelations have painted a picture of a potential government representative with a penchant for divisive and dehumanizing language.

Opposition Leaders Unite in Fierce Condemnation

Yair Lapid, the leader of the opposition, was swift to criticize the Prime Minister, stating that Netanyahu is effectively replacing one racist aide with another. Lapid argued that such appointments are fundamentally flawed and have no place in the Israeli government in 2026. Avigdor Liberman’s Yisrael Beytenu party, which represents a significant portion of the Russian speaking electorate, echoed these sentiments, suggesting that racist attitudes appear to be a prerequisite for employment within Netanyahu’s inner circle.