Man Charged for Throwing Salt Shaker at Former PM Naftali Bennett

Police announced Thursday that a 26-year-old man from Bnei Brak, Elia Azrad, has been indicted for allegedly throwing a salt shaker at former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. Azrad faces charges including simple assault, attempted simple assault, and behavior likely to disturb public order. New footage of the incident was released by the police.

According to the indictment filed by the Tel Aviv District Police prosecution unit, the salt shaker struck the neck of Bennett's social media manager and the leg of a videographer on his team. The indictment also states that immediately after, Azrad threw another glass object, similar to the salt shaker, near the table where Bennett was seated. Bennett himself was unharmed, and Azrad was arrested at the scene.

Bennett had been at a restaurant in Bnei Brak the previous Thursday to film one of his "Parliament" videos for social media. During a court hearing where police sought to extend Azrad's detention, it was claimed that Azrad stated "everything is from God" and called Bennett a "sharmuta" (a derogatory term). A police representative described the incident as an "attempted attack on a public figure" during a volatile period, deeming Azrad a significant risk.

Also present was right-wing activist Mordechai David, who was filmed shouting at Bennett. Bennett responded by telling David to enlist quickly, implying he would receive no state funding once Bennett was no longer prime minister. This is not the first time a party leader opposing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has encountered David. Last month, Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Gadi Eisenkot was filmed speaking with David on the beach after David approached him to film himself asking questions about events weeks after the October 7th massacre. Eisenkot refused to answer, stating he only cooperates with those who have served in the army.