Israeli Far-Right Officials Suspected in Attack on Police

The Director General of the far-right Otzma Yehudit party, Itiel Naiman, was questioned on Sunday, November 15th, in connection with an alleged assault on police officers in the settlement of Mitzpe Jericho. The incident occurred in early October 2026. Knesset Member Yitzhak Kroizer, also from the party associated with Itamar Ben-Gvir, is implicated in the same case. Both Naiman and Kroizer deny the allegations, according to Ynet.

Naiman appeared for questioning at the National Fraud Investigation Unit (YAHAL). He faces suspicions of assaulting a police officer, obstructing police work, extortion with threats, and obstructing an investigation. The October incident began when police officers from the Judea and Samaria district attempted to arrest a suspect in Mitzpe Jericho. The suspect fled into an area where a memorial ceremony for fallen IDF soldiers was taking place, leading to a confrontation between the police and ceremony participants.

Naiman and Kroizer are suspected of participating in the ensuing brawl. Three police officers were injured: a member of the YASAM special unit suffered a broken nose, and a patrol officer sustained a broken arm. Additionally, a police vehicle was damaged during the unrest. Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir arrived at the scene after the clashes subsided. An officer present stated that the minister behaved aggressively and provocatively, pointedly ignoring the police. Ben-Gvir denied these claims, asserting he was present for the memorial ceremony and happened to be at the location.

During his interrogation, Kroizer claimed the police attacked him first, even after he identified himself as a Knesset Member. He called the accusations against him "baseless lies" and presented video evidence and photos of his own injuries, which he stated proved he did not use violence against the officers.