Man Wearing Tel Aviv Municipality Vest Vandalizes Media Offices and Threatens Journalists
Abraham Hadi, who has a criminal record, has been charged with a series of violent attacks and threats against Israeli media outlets and the Ministry of Justice in July 2026. The Tel Aviv District Attorney's Office filed the indictment in the Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court, detailing how Hadi vandalized news organizations including News 12, Haaretz, and Channel 13, breaking glass doors and leaving threatening graffiti and letters. The attacks were reportedly motivated by his anger over media coverage of a military detention scandal at Camp Shde Teiman in July 2024.
According to the indictment, Hadi aimed to intimidate journalists and coerce News 12 employees into apologizing for their reporting on the Shde Teiman affair. Surveillance footage shows a masked man wearing work gloves and a reflective vest resembling those issued by the Tel Aviv municipality throwing bricks at glass entrances of the media offices and the Ministry of Justice building. He also left threatening messages such as "In the end, someone will die". Police linked Hadi to multiple incidents after collecting additional evidence, including clothing and shoes matching those seen on the videos found in his apartment trash.
Hadi was arrested on July 30, 2026, and initially confessed to spraying graffiti but later retracted his confession, claiming he was pressured and that "demons and spirits" controlled him. His criminal history includes a 2024 conviction for assault with pepper spray at a law office and previous vandalism charges for defacing public property with graffiti. The ongoing investigation also involves attempts by Hadi to obstruct justice by disposing of clothing he allegedly wore during the attacks.
The repeated violent acts and threats have caused significant fear among media employees, prompting police to intensify their investigation. Hadi faces charges including property damage, extortion by threats, and obstruction of justice. The case highlights tensions between certain individuals and the Israeli media over sensitive security and judicial issues.
