Right-Wing Activist Yoav Eliassi Responds to Police Favoritism Investigation as 'Minor Setback'

Yoav Eliassi, known as "HaTzel" and a right-wing activist, addressed for the first time the investigation against him regarding allegations of police favoritism toward a nightclub owned by his brother. Speaking on Wednesday, Eliassi described the probe as "just a minor setback" and expressed relief that the matter is being investigated, stating, "In the end, the truth always comes out." He also thanked the public for their support, calling it "not taken for granted."

The investigation, conducted by the Police Investigations Department (Mahash), includes Eliassi and three police officers, among them an intelligence coordinator, all suspected of breaching trust by granting police leniencies to the nightclub. Additional testimonies have been collected from other involved parties. Following the inquiry, all four suspects were released under restrictive conditions; the officers were suspended from police facilities for three days, while Eliassi was barred for a week.

The case emerged after allegations surfaced that police connections were exploited to influence authorities' treatment of the nightclub. No indictments have been filed yet, and all suspects maintain their presumption of innocence. About a week prior, reports stated Eliassi was removed from his role as commander of the Tel Aviv district readiness unit. However, his lawyers clarified that Eliassi himself requested to suspend his volunteer service until the investigation concludes, rather than being dismissed by the police commissioner. Sources close to the commissioner confirmed Eliassi initiated the suspension, with the case proceeding through formal channels.