Newsletter
Newsletter Support JNS

Bennett picks new political adviser, spokesperson and bureau chief of staff

“You know about the big challenges, but it is important that you know that the atmosphere here is very good,” tweeted Shimrit Meir, the prime minister’s new political adviser.

Shimrit Meir when she was editor-in-chief of “Al-Masdar” (“The Source”), an online Arabic-language newspaper, in Tel Aviv, on March 2, 2105. Photo by Tomer Neuberg/Flash90.
Shimrit Meir when she was editor-in-chief of “Al-Masdar” (“The Source”), an online Arabic-language newspaper, in Tel Aviv, on March 2, 2105. Photo by Tomer Neuberg/Flash90.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett announced appointments on Tuesday for his bureau chief of staff, spokesperson and political adviser.

Tal Gan-Zvi, who has been accompanying Bennett since his entry into national politics in 2012, is the premier’s new spokesperson, according to Ynet. Gan-Zvi is considered Bennett’s confidant; he conducted coalitionary negotiations on behalf of Bennett’s Yamina Party.

Shimrit Meir, who until recently had been a Middle East analyst and editor of multiple Israeli media outlets, has been named as Bennett’s political adviser.

“Thank you to everyone for the support and warm words, and thank you to the prime minister for the faith,” Meir tweeted on Tuesday. “You know about the big challenges, but it is important that you know that the atmosphere here is very good.”

Matan Sidi, 25, has been tapped as Bennett’s new spokesperson. He previously served in the role during Bennett’s time as education minister and defense minister.

The United States is “shutting down the financial infrastructure that allows the regime to continue its threats to U.S. national security and global shipping,” the U.S. treasury secretary said.
“The American people are crying out for an end to U.S. tax dollars subsidizing Israel’s military,” Rep. Greg Casar, chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, told colleagues.
A U.S. Department of Homeland Security spokesman told JNS that the administration “acted well within its statutory and constitutional authority” in Khalil’s case, “as it does with any alien who advocates for violence, glorifies and supports terrorists, harasses Jews and damages property.”
“The Strait of Hormuz is open to all ship traffic except for Iran,” the U.S. president wrote.
The amendment “would restrict our country’s ability to confront Hamas, Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations in the region who are sworn enemies of both the United States and Israel,” the House minority leader said.
“We are prepared for any scenario,” the prime minister assured.