Otzma Yehudit Director-General Questioned Over Alleged Assault on Police Officer

Itiel Neeman, the Director-General of the Otzma Yehudit party, was questioned on Sunday by the National Fraud Investigation Unit (YAHAL) on suspicion of involvement in an assault on a police officer in the settlement of Mitzpe Jericho in early October. He is accused of assault and obstruction of a police officer, extortion by threats, and obstruction of justice.

Also suspected in the case is Member of Knesset Yitzhak Kroizer (Otzma Yehudit), who claimed during his questioning that he was the one attacked by the police officers during the incident. The incident, which was first reported by Ynet, involved a detective unit from the Judea and Samaria District arriving in Mitzpe Jericho, located in the Gush Adumim region, to arrest a suspect in a different matter. The suspect fled the officers towards an area where a memorial service for fallen IDF soldiers was being held, and during the attempt to apprehend him, a violent confrontation erupted between the police and individuals present.

Three officers were injured in the clash, including a Yasam combatant who suffered a broken nose and a patrol officer who broke his hand. A detective's patrol car was also damaged with a knife during the melee. Following the de-escalation of the confrontation, the Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, arrived at the scene. According to the testimony of a police officer present, Ben-Gvir behaved aggressively and provocatively, overtly disregarding the police force. The minister denied these claims, stating he merely happened to be present as he was attending the memorial service.

Neeman and Kroizer deny the suspicions against them. Kroizer stated at the time, "I was attacked by police officers even after identifying myself as a Member of Knesset. The allegations attributed to me are a baseless collection of lies." He published documentation he claims proves he did not use violence against the officers, along with photos showing scratches and bruises on his body.