Rapper Yoav Eliasi Summoned for Police Investigation Over Influence Claims

Israeli rapper Yoav Eliasi, known as "HaTzel," has been summoned for questioning by the Police Investigations Department (Mahash) in Tel Aviv following his removal as commander of the city’s rapid response unit. Earlier this week, a police officer of superintendent rank was questioned under warning on suspicion of promoting Eliasi’s interests. Upon arriving at Mahash, Eliasi posted a photo of the entrance door with the caption "Good morning." A Mahash source told ynet that further interrogations are expected.

Eliasi was dismissed from his police role by Police Commissioner Major General Danni Levi after an investigative report revealed that Eliasi, who is close to National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, boasted about using his police connections to prevent the closure of a nightlife venue in which he holds a stake. The report, published by Haaretz, included recordings in which Eliasi claimed his ties helped stop the shutdown of the John Doe club following a violent incident there. His firearm was also confiscated.

According to the investigation, Eliasi expressed frustration over the police decision to close the club at 4:30 a.m. and insisted on contacting a police officer friend to resolve issues. Testimony from Idan Harpak, head of security at the club who was stabbed during the incident, indicated that Eliasi’s name was a "magic word" that granted the club special treatment from police.

The nightlife complex includes the John Doe nightclub and the Q Gallery restaurant above it, operated separately but with overlapping shareholders. Ownership is linked through holding companies involving Eliasi family members, including Yoav’s brother Itamar Eliasi and their father Rafael. Itamar initially transferred shares to Yoav and Rafael but later regained full ownership, though the registered address remains Yoav’s residence. Itamar is also a partner in the nightclub.

Following the exposé, Mahash launched a formal investigation into the police conduct and Eliasi’s influence, signaling potential further developments in the case.