Tel Aviv Court Extends Detention of Suspect in News 12 Office Door Vandalism and Death Threats

The Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court extended the detention of Avraham (Avi) Hadi by four days on Friday. Hadi is suspected of smashing the entrance door to the News 12 newsroom and leaving a death threat letter at the scene. Police attribute to Hadi a series of property damage and harassment incidents against media outlets and public figures in recent months, including breaking the door of the Haaretz newspaper offices. Hadi has a criminal record involving threatening graffiti against News 13 and damage to public buildings. The police also presented footage of his arrest.

Hadi denies the allegations, claiming in his interrogation that due to a medical condition affecting his left hand, he is only 30 to 40 percent capable of using it and can only smoke cigarettes with it. His defense attorney argued that the acts were a form of "legitimate protest" and should be seen as "freedom of expression within a democratic framework," emphasizing that no arson or road blockades were involved.

The police stressed the severity of the death threats and repeated property damage. The incident at News 12 occurred last Tuesday, marking the second time the door was smashed that month. The threatening letter warned that unless an apology was issued regarding the Shde Yemen affair, further violence would follow, including targeted attacks on individuals’ heads.

The attack sparked widespread condemnation across the political spectrum. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett called the attack on media workers a red line and urged the police to respond with maximum severity. Knesset Education Committee Chair Tzvi Sukot also condemned the threats and violence, stating that despite his criticism of the channel’s coverage of the Shde Yemen case, such actions cross all red lines and the boundaries of discourse must be preserved.