Right-Wing Activist Yoav Eliasi Suspended from Israeli Police Volunteer Role Amid Abuse Allegations

The Israeli Police Commissioner and Tel Aviv District Commander have suspended right-wing activist Yoav Eliasi, also known as "HaTzalam," from his volunteer role as commander of Tel Aviv's police readiness unit. This decision follows an investigative report published on Wednesday by Haaretz, which alleged that Eliasi exploited his police position for personal benefit. Eliasi, a close associate of Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and a prominent right-wing musician, was implicated in recordings and testimonies suggesting he used his police connections to benefit a nightlife venue in which he was involved.

The investigation revealed audio recordings from May 2025, where Eliasi told a business partner that he was "educating" the police not to interfere with the venue and instructed them to contact him directly regarding any police-related issues at the location. He reportedly boasted about his police ties to secure leniency for the venue following violent incidents and demanded updates on any police events, promising to communicate with officers. These actions occurred while he served alongside officers at the Lev Tel Aviv station.

Following the report, the Police Internal Investigations Department has opened an inquiry into the matter. Eliasi responded by attributing the allegations to a business dispute between his brother and a partner, denying ownership or shares in the venue or related companies. He claimed he never intervened with the police on the venue's behalf and that any offers to help were intended only to calm tensions without actual interference. Eliasi also stated he lacked the ability to influence police or municipal decisions and that his only request to inspectors was to consider the impact of closing the business during wartime, which he described as a common familial concern.