Tzachi Braverman
Tzachi Braverman | |
|---|---|
Braverman in 2021 | |
| Ambassador of Israel to the United Kingdom | |
| Assumed office TBD | |
| President | Isaac Herzog |
| Prime Minister | Benjamin Netanyahu |
| Preceded by | Tzipi Hotovely |
| Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister of Israel | |
| Assumed office 29 December 2022 | |
| Prime Minister | Benjamin Netanyahu |
| Preceded by | Danny Wesley |
| Cabinet Secretary of the Government of Israel | |
| In office 15 November 2016 – 13 June 2021 | |
| Prime Minister | Benjamin Netanyahu |
| Preceded by | Shalom Shlomo |
| Succeeded by | Aryeh Zohar |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Yitzhak Braverman 7 March 1959 |
| Party | Likud |
| Spouse | Nava Braverman |
| Children | 6 |
| Alma mater | Bar-Ilan University |
| Occupation | Jurist • Civil servant • Diplomat |
Yitzhak "Tzachi" Braverman (born 7 March 1959) is an Israeli diplomat who has served as chief of staff to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu since December 2022. He previously served as Cabinet Secretary of the Government of Israel from 2016 to 2021. In 2025, he was nominated as Ambassador of Israel to the United Kingdom, a process accompanied by a series of criminal investigations.
Early life and education
Braverman was born on 7 March 1959 in Tel Aviv, Israel.[1] He holds a law degree from Bar-Ilan University.[1]
Career
Braverman has served in senior roles in the Israeli government across multiple terms under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He served as Cabinet Secretary of the Government of Israel from 15 November 2016 to 13 June 2021, succeeding Shalom Shlomo and being succeeded by Aryeh Zohar.[2] From 29 December 2022, he has served as Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister, succeeding Danny Wesley in that role.[2]
Nomination as Ambassador to the United Kingdom
In September 2025, Braverman was nominated to serve as Ambassador of Israel to the United Kingdom, expected to succeed Tzipi Hotovely.[3] The cabinet approved the nomination on 21 September 2025.[4] His assumption of the post was repeatedly delayed owing to the legal proceedings described below.
Personal life
Braverman is married to Nava,[1] who is a judge.[2] They have six children.
Legal issues
Forgery and fraud investigation (2025)
In September 2025, Braverman was investigated for suspected forgery and fraud in the Prime Minister's Office and was questioned by police.[5]
Bild leak investigation (2026)
A separate investigation was launched in January 2026 over allegations by Eli Feldstein that Braverman had interfered in the investigation into the 2024 Israeli secret document leak scandal.[6]
On 11 January 2026, following an extensive police interrogation, Braverman was barred from leaving Israel and prohibited from contacting Netanyahu.[7] These restrictions were lifted on 15 January by the Rishon Lezion Magistrate Court,[8] but reimposed on 19 January by the Central District Court, which accepted a police appeal.[9]
On 23 January 2026, the Lod District Court imposed a gag order, set to expire on 22 February, on the investigation into an alleged meeting between Feldstein and Braverman, following a police appeal seeking broader restrictions than a lower court had imposed.[10] The travel ban was extended on 29 January by the Rishon Lezion Magistrate Court until 10 February.[11]
On 3 February 2026, after the Rishon Lezion District Court relaxed a gag order, further details emerged indicating that Braverman was being investigated over the possible misuse of classified information.[12] On 11 February, the Rishon Lezion Magistrate Court lifted the travel ban, allowing Braverman to take up his ambassadorial post; however, the ban on contact between Braverman and several individuals, including Feldstein and Netanyahu aide Jonatan Urich, was extended until 26 February.[13]
On 17 February 2026, the Lod District Court reimposed the travel ban and a ban on working in the Prime Minister's Office. Judge Michael Karshen stated that the state's case had "strengthened".[14] The Supreme Court of Israel rejected Braverman's appeal on 22 February 2026.[15] Several days later, Braverman accepted a temporary extension of his release conditions pending a further court ruling.[16]
On 2 March 2026, the Rishon Lezion Magistrate Court ruled that Braverman should be permitted to serve in his appointed ambassadorial position, voiding both the travel ban and the contact ban with Netanyahu. Braverman remains prohibited from discussing the investigation with Netanyahu, and the ban on contact with other suspects in the case was extended until 10 March.[17]
References
- ^ a b c d Harpin, Lee (17 September 2025). "Netanyahu's 'right-hand man' is new UK ambassador". The Jewish Chronicle. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
- ^ a b c "Who is Tzachi Braverman? Here's why Netanyahu chief of staff allegedly blackmailed IDF officer". The Week. Kochi, India. 10 November 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
- ^ Prinsley, Jane (17 September 2025). "Netanyahu's chief of staff selected as Israel's next ambassador to UK". The Jewish Chronicle. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
- ^ Berman, Lazar (21 September 2025). "Cabinet approves Netanyahu's chief of staff Braverman as next ambassador to UK". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 23 December 2025.
- ^ Berman, Lazar (21 September 2025). "Cabinet approves Netanyahu's chief of staff Braverman as next ambassador to UK". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 23 December 2025.
- ^ "Police probing claim that PM's chief of staff tried to cover up Bild leak — reports". The Times of Israel. 1 January 2026. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
- ^ "PM's chief of staff barred from leaving the country following police interrogation". The Times of Israel. 11 January 2026. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
- ^ Ben-Nun, Sarah (15 January 2026). "Israeli court lifts restrictions on former Netanyahu aides in Bild leak scandal". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
- ^ Forsher, Efrat (19 January 2026). "Lod District Court Judge rules to uphold restrictions on PMO chief of staff in Bild leak case". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
- ^ "Gag order placed on investigation of top PM aide's alleged bid to scupper Bild probe". The Times of Israel. 23 January 2026. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
- ^ Ben-Nun, Sarah (29 January 2026). "Court extends travel ban on Braverman amid probe into alleged 'midnight meeting'". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
- ^ Ben-Nun, Sarah (3 February 2026). "Court lifts more gag orders in midnight parking-lot affair tied to PMO leaks". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
- ^ Ben-Nun, Sarah (11 February 2026). "PMO's Chief of Staff Braverman cleared for travel, will assume UK ambassadorship". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 13 February 2026.
- ^ Bandel, Netael (17 February 2026). "Court reinstates travel ban on Netanyahu chief of staff in 'night meeting' probe". ynet. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
- ^ "Supreme Court refuses to allow PM's chief of staff to appeal his release conditions". The Times of Israel. 22 February 2026. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
- ^ Sharon, Jeremy (25 February 2026). "PM's chief of staff accepts temporary extension of release restrictions until court ruling". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ Sharon, Jeremy (2 March 2026). "Court declines to extend key restrictive conditions on Netanyahu's chief of staff". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 2 March 2026.