Government Spokesperson Eylon Levy Put on Leave Following Diplomatic Tweet

Israeli government spokesperson Eylon Levy has found himself in hot water after engaging in a Twitter spat with a foreign diplomat. Levy, who serves as the international face of the Israeli government, was suspended by the Prime Minister’s Office on Tuesday over his response to a tweet by British Foreign Secretary David Cameron.

Cameron had tweeted that he told minister-without-portfolio Benny Gantz that Israel must increase humanitarian aid into Gaza. Eylon Levy fired back, claiming it was “factually incorrect” that aid levels had not risen. And provided statistics about recent truckloads of supplies entering the coastal enclave. The British Foreign Office reportedly took issue with Levy’s public rebuttal of their top diplomat.

Levy No Stranger to Controversy

This is not the first time Eylon Levy’s outspoken style landed him in controversy. Sources indicate Sara Netanyahu, wife of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. She had previously tried to have Levy removed for tweets supporting judicial protests before the recent Israel-Hamas war. As the international face of the Israeli government, Levy’s tweets are closely watched both at home and abroad. Only time will tell if this suspension will curb his willingness to directly engage even high-level foreign officials on Twitter.

The suspension of Eylon Levy comes at a delicate time in Israel’s diplomatic relations. Managing the foreign perception of its policies in Gaza and the West Bank will be crucial as reconstruction and a ceasefire are negotiated. While Levy’s willingness to push back has its supporters, his superiors appear to feel discretion is the better path when engaging global leaders on social media. How long his suspension lasts may depend on whether the Prime Minister’s Office feels its message has received.