Israel Hayom journalist Eli Zilberberg reported Wednesday that Sara Netanyahu, wife of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, allegedly pressured the chairman of Keren Hayesod to appoint former Knesset member Osnat Mark as his chief of staff. According to the report, the attempted appointment triggered an unprecedented crisis at the historic Zionist fundraising organization.
Eli Vered Hazan, who previously served as spokesman and political adviser to Prime Minister Netanyahu, was appointed chairman of Keren Hayesod on behalf of Likud earlier this month. The report claims that shortly after assuming his position, Vered Hazan began advancing Mark's appointment as his chief of staff, allegedly following pressure from the prime minister's wife.
The proposed appointment met fierce resistance from Keren Hayesod's major donors, representatives who raise funds for Israel from Jewish communities worldwide. According to the report, these donors made clear to Vered Hazan that they would not accept Mark's appointment.
"It will not stand," was one message conveyed to him, according to the report. Another stated message read: "She cannot serve in this position at any cost."
The confrontation over the appointment extended beyond opposition to Mark herself. Zilberberg reported that donors demanded Vered Hazan resign from his position following his attempt to advance the appointment. As of the report's publication, the Keren Hayesod chairman had rejected their demand outright.
