Yoav Eliasi Investigated by Police Oversight Unit Over Alleged Police Connections Abuse

Yoav Eliasi, known as "HaTzel," a rapper and right-wing activist, was summoned for questioning by the Police Investigations Department (Mahash) on August 5, 2026. This follows an investigative report by Haaretz revealing that Eliasi allegedly exploited his police connections for personal benefit. Last week, Eliasi ended his role as commander of the rapid response unit in Tel Aviv amid the controversy.

The Haaretz report detailed how Eliasi boasted about using his police ties to prevent the closure of the "John Doe" nightclub on Rothschild Boulevard after a violent incident in September, where a security guard was stabbed. Former club employees confirmed that Eliasi's influence helped the club receive leniency, reducing its closure from the standard 21 days to just one week. Idan Harpak, a former head of security who was stabbed in the incident, stated that it was clear the club benefited from Eliasi's connections with police officers.

Eliasi is also known to be close to National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. According to the report, Eliasi claimed in May of the previous year that he was "educating" the police not to interfere with the club. Following the investigation, the police commissioner launched an inquiry, and Eliasi has chosen to suspend his service until the investigation concludes.