Netanyahu appoints controversial Likud candidate amid US-Israel tensions

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has appointed tech entrepreneur Oren Dobronsky to a reserved spot on the Likud party’s Knesset slate. Dobronsky, known from the television program ‘The Sharks’, previously drew controversy for social media posts criticizing Donald Trump. In those posts, Dobronsky had referred to Trump as a ‘morally corrupt piece of sh*t’ regarding the handling of negotiations between the US and Iran that excluded Israel.

Despite recent political friction, Donald Trump stated on Monday that his relationship with Netanyahu remains ‘very good’. This comment follows Netanyahu’s recent rejection of a US-led Gaza ceasefire and disarmament plan, a move that has caused tension between the two leaders. Netanyahu is currently preparing for the October 27 elections, amid polling that shows varying levels of support for his leadership and his stance on the Gaza conflict.