Hanamel Dorfman Leaves National Security Minister's Office to Run for Knesset with Otzma Yehudit

Hanamel Dorfman, chief of staff to National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, is set to resign this week to run for the Knesset on the Otzma Yehudit party list, according to a report by Channel 12 on Thursday. Dorfman, considered one of Ben-Gvir's closest aides, is expected to become a key figure in the parliament. He recently deliberated over entering politics before making his decision.

During his tenure, Dorfman wielded significant influence in public service and gained considerable power within the police. He was previously investigated on suspicion of attempting to influence police investigators in the Judea and Samaria district, including efforts to prevent the confiscation of a weapon from a settler who fired at Palestinians. Dorfman was also implicated in a case involving the Israel Prison Service Commissioner Kobi Yakobi.

The investigation by the Police Internal Investigations Department (Mahash) included a breakthrough when they managed to hack Dorfman's phone after prolonged efforts. Thousands of audio files were uncovered, implicating both Yakobi and Dorfman. Mahash summoned Dorfman for questioning, but he initially failed to appear and was unreachable by phone. Consequently, Mahash obtained an arrest warrant from the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court. Dorfman eventually appeared for questioning but, following advice from his attorney Ariel Atri, chose to exercise his right to remain silent and did not cooperate.