Otzma Yehudit Official Questioned in Police Assault Case

A senior official from the Otzma Yehudit party was questioned on Sunday by Lahav 433, Israel's national fraud investigation unit, in connection with an incident where police officers were allegedly assaulted. The investigation follows the questioning of Knesset Member Yitzhak Kroizer, who was interrogated under caution about a month ago. Kroizer was summoned for questioning after receiving approval from Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, on suspicion of involvement in the assault of officers. The incident occurred two weeks prior near Ma'ale Adumim, when officers attempted to arrest a suspect involved in a violent assault. The suspect evaded arrest and fled to an area where a memorial was being held. A confrontation ensued, during which Kroizer claimed he was attacked by the police. At the time, Kroizer stated, "The political witch hunt by the Attorney General and Boaz Balt has lost all restraint. This is a trampling, heartless, and unrestrained political persecution. Police officers attacked a Member of Knesset, and instead of investigating his complaint, under the instruction of the political Attorney General who is criminally exploiting her power and conducting selective enforcement, they are trying to turn the victim into a suspect." Minister of National Security and Otzma Yehudit chairman Itamar Ben-Gvir also criticized Kroizer's summons, expressing grave concern about selective enforcement and political use of the legal system on the eve of elections. Ben-Gvir claimed that a Knesset member attended a memorial for a childhood friend, was allegedly severely assaulted, suffered a broken rib, and went to file a complaint, only to have the complainant turned into a suspect. He asserted that the claim this was done under the Attorney General's orders requires immediate investigation.