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Anshel Pfeffer

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Anshel Pfeffer,

Anshel Pfeffer

Analysis

Deep in Bibi's inner circle, fear and mistrust rule

March 1, 2012 15:12
1 min read

Benjamin Netanyahu's administration will not be three years old until the end of this month, but he is already onto his fifth press secretary.

That's less than nine months' service for each of them - hardly job security. The last press secretary, Dr Yoaz Hendel, lasted only six months before being forced out in less than auspicious circumstances, replaced by his deputy, Liran Dan. Dr Hendel barely stayed enough time to register a presence but his departure is directly linked to another much more momentous personnel change at the Prime Minister's Office.

Chief of Staff Nathan Eshel has been a confidant of Mr Netanyahu for many years, a central member of what was once known as "Bibi's submarine". Equally importantly, he is a close friend of Mrs Netanyahu and the person she most trusted to keep her appraised on political and media events.

Mr Eshel was not only a loyal family retainer, he was also deputy executive director of Yisrael Ha-Yom newspaper, owned by American billionaire and Netanyahu backer Sheldon Adelson.