Tzachi Braverman
Tzachi Braverman | |
|---|---|
.jpg) 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 and civil servant. He is the chief of staff of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In 2025, he was nominated for the post of Ambassador of Israel to the United Kingdom.
Biography
Braverman has a law degree from Bar-Ilan University.[1] He is Netanyahu's chief of staff, after serving as Cabinet Secretary from 2016 to 2021.[2]
He was nominated as the Ambassador of Israel to the United Kingdom, and is expected to succeed Tzipi Hotovely.[3]
Family life
Braverman is married to Nava,[1] who is a judge.[2]
Legal issues
In September 2025, Braverman was investigated for suspected forgery and fraud in the Prime Minister's Office, and questioned by police.[4]
A separate investigation was launched in January 2026 over allegations by Eli Feldstein that Braverman interfered in the investigation into the 2024 Israeli secret document leak scandal.[5] Braverman was forbidden from exiting Israel following an extensive interrogation on 11 January by Israeli police. He is also not allowed to make contact with Netanyahu.[6] The restrictions were lifted on 15 January by the Rishon Lezion Magistrate court,[7] though they were reimposed on 19 January by the Central District Court, which accepted an appeal by the Israeli police.[8] A gag order, which expires on 22 February, was imposed by the Lod District Court on the "investigation" into the meeting between Feldstein and Braverman following an appeal by the police, who sought a broader gag order than was put in place by a lower court.[9] The imposed travel ban was extended on 29 January 2026 by the Rishon Lezion Magistrate Court until 10 February.[10] Further details were published on 3 February, following the relaxing of a gag order by Rishon Lezion District Court, indicating that Braverman was being investigated over the possible "misuse" of classified information.[11] The Rishon Lezion Magistrate Court lifted the travel ban on 11 February, allowing Braverman to take up his post; banning of contact between Braverman and several people, including Feldstein and Netanyahu aide Jonatan Urich, was extended until 26 February.[12]
References
- ^ a b c Harpin, Lee (17 September 2025). "Netanyahu's 'right-hand man' is new UK ambassador". The Jewish Chronicle. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
- ^ a b "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.
- ^ "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.