Gadi Eizenkot Urges Police Chief to Act Immediately Against Political Violence After Attack on Party Activist

Gadi Eizenkot, chairman of the Israeli party Yisrael, has called on Israel Police Commissioner Major General Dany Levy to conduct a thorough and swift investigation into the assault on party activist Ilan Mans. Mans, 76, head of Yisrael's Mevaseret Zion branch, was attacked last week while attempting to remove a sign calling for the release of Yigal Amir, the assassin of former Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. Mans was hospitalized with a brain hemorrhage at Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital.

In a letter to Commissioner Levy, Eizenkot warned that such violence, occurring just 84 days before the elections, could signal more serious incidents ahead and stressed that there must be zero tolerance for criminal and violent behavior, especially during the tense election period. He demanded an immediate and comprehensive investigation leading to the arrest and prosecution of those responsible.

Mans underwent a medical procedure to drain blood from his head and is currently awaiting CT scan results to assess his condition. His associates expressed hope that the police investigation, which is ongoing with continuous communication between investigators and Mans' legal counsel, will be completed thoroughly and that arrests will be made promptly. The attack occurred after Mans tried to remove a protest sign displayed on the Hemed Interchange bridge near Jerusalem, which called for Amir's release.

The incident has raised concerns about escalating political violence in Israel ahead of the upcoming elections, prompting calls from political leaders for decisive law enforcement action.