A far-right member of Knesset posted criticism of US President Donald Trump on social media on Sunday before deleting the tweet and apologizing.
MK Zvika Fogel, a member of National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir’s Otzma Yehudit party, posted on X: “Donald, if you have to shoot, shoot. Don’t quack,” alongside a duck emoji.
Article came shortly after Trump announced a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz following the apparent collapse of US-Iran ceasefire talks in Pakistan.
Early Monday morning, Fogel posted an apology on his X account in English and Hebrew, after deleting the original tweet. He also deleted an earlier tweet, posted shortly after the announcement of the two-week ceasefire, in which he wrote: “Donald, you turned out to be a duck.”
“Mr. President, just as you consider what is best for the United States, I consider what is best for the State of Israel — and that is the only thing before my eyes,” Fogel wrote Monday.
“My intention in voicing criticism was to be heard, and it succeeded in reaching the right ears,” he continued. “However, there was no intention to offend or show any disrespect, and for that I regret. I hold great respect and appreciation for our partners, you first and foremost. It is important that we continue on this path until victory.”
Fogel, the chairman of the Knesset National Security Committee, told the Galei Yisrael radio station on Monday that he was informed that Trump had taken offense to the posts in question.
“After it was made clear to me that President Trump was offended, that it was hurtful and inappropriate, I deleted the tweet,” Fogel said. “I’m not sorry for the post, but I regret that he was offended, that wasn’t my intention.”
The Knesset member said the objective behind his post was to suggest that “if Trump would listen to [Prime Minister] Benjamin Netanyahu instead of his generals, we’ll go further on all fronts.”
According to Hebrew media outlets, Netanyahu blasted ministers at the cabinet meeting on Monday for voicing criticism of Trump, in comments thought to have been directed in part at Fogel.
“I request that ministers and coalition MKs choose their words carefully,” the prime minister reportedly said. “I give instructions when and how to speak and when not to speak, but you need to consult before speaking out.”
