Otzma Yehudit Official Investigated by Police Over Assault Allegations

A senior official from the Otzma Yehudit party was questioned by the Lahav 433 police unit on Sunday as part of an investigation into an incident involving the alleged assault of police officers near Mitzpe Yericho. The investigation comes about a month after MK Yitzhak Kroizer, chairman of the Otzma Yehudit faction, was also summoned for questioning under caution regarding the same case. Police stated that the suspect is being investigated for extortion, assault, and obstruction of justice in connection with the incident. The event reportedly began when police attempted to arrest a suspect in a violent assault who had fled to a memorial service. Three officers were injured during the ensuing confrontation. MK Kroizer, who was present at the time, claimed he was the one assaulted by police. The Attorney General, Gali Baharav-Miara, authorized Kroizer's questioning under caution. The investigation focused on the circumstances of the event and whether Kroizer was involved in assaulting officers or was himself assaulted, as he claimed.

MK Kroizer previously stated that the Attorney General's actions constituted a "political witch hunt" and accused her of "oppressive political persecution." He alleged that police attacked him and that instead of investigating his complaint, the Attorney General was attempting to make him the suspect. He questioned the speed of the investigation into his case compared to those of MKs Gilad Kariv and Naama Lazimi, suggesting political motivation ahead of elections. Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir echoed these concerns, raising fears of selective enforcement and political use of law enforcement agencies before the elections. Ben-Gvir asserted that while most police officers are heroes, any officer acting violently or unlawfully, especially against an elected official, must be held accountable. He demanded an immediate and equitable investigation and vowed that Otzma Yehudit would seek to remove the Attorney General from her position after the elections.

Otzma Yehudit has recently been involved in proposing legislation requiring a declaration of loyalty to Israel as a Jewish and democratic state for voters and Knesset members. The party has also raised allegations of irregularities at polling stations in the Arab sector during recent elections, with Minister Yitzhak Vaserlauf reporting evidence of money being distributed in exchange for votes for the Ra'am party. The police have not yet issued an official statement regarding the investigation of the party official, and sources within Otzma Yehudit declined to comment at this time.