Israeli Rapper 'HaTzel' Slams Netanyahu, Threatens Vote Shift
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
Right-wing activist and rapper Yoav Eliasi, known as 'HaTzel,' has sharply criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his treatment of National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and perceived overtures to Gadi Eisenkot. Eliasi threatened that voters like himself would not support Netanyahu in future elections. The criticism highlights growing tensions between Netanyahu and Ben-Gvir, and broader discontent within the right-wing base over potential political realignments. Eliasi, formerly a staunch Netanyahu supporter, gained initial fame as a musician.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Rapper 'HaTzel' Yoav Eliasi criticized PM Netanyahu's treatment of Itamar Ben-Gvir and overtures to Gadi Eisenkot.
- Eliasi warned Netanyahu that voters would not support him in future elections.
- The criticism reflects growing tensions between Netanyahu and Ben-Gvir.
- Eliasi accused Netanyahu of sacrificing allies for political expediency.
- Eliasi previously gained fame as a musician and is a prominent right-wing activist.
Yoav Eliasi, the rapper known as 'HaTzel' and a prominent right-wing activist, has publicly criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a video, breaking with his long-standing support. Eliasi expressed anger over Netanyahu's perceived mistreatment of National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, while simultaneously appearing to court Knesset Member Gadi Eisenkot. Eliasi accused Netanyahu of hypocrisy, pointing to reports of senior Likud figures considering Eisenkot for defense minister, despite Eliasi's view that Eisenkot was responsible for a past security concept. He contrasted this with Netanyahu's alleged refusal to be photographed with or publicly engage with Ben-Gvir, his coalition partner.
Eliasi warned that Netanyahu's tactics of discarding allies when politically pressured would alienate voters. "We know who to vote for in the end, and it won't be you," Eliasi stated, expressing sadness at having to make the video and accusing Netanyahu of being willing to sacrifice his partners and allies to align with the left. The criticism comes amid reports of heightened tension between Netanyahu and Ben-Gvir, including Ben-Gvir's exclusion from critical security consultations and Netanyahu's avoidance of public appearances with him. These tensions are amplified by rumors of Netanyahu's circle exploring political alliances with more moderate figures, which has angered the hard-right.
Separately, Eliasi recently faced personal and public turmoil after being suspended from the police reserve duty and undergoing a hearing following an investigation by the Police Internal Investigations Department. His wife, Lin Mor, defended him, recounting his immediate volunteer efforts after the October 7th attacks. Eliasi first gained fame in the early 2000s as part of the hip-hop duo 'Subliminal and HaTzel,' which revolutionized the Israeli hip-hop scene. After years of estrangement, he and Subliminal reconciled and performed a reunion concert in 2023.
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