MK Moshe Saada Accuses Yoav Segalovich of Criminal Misconduct Over Media Interference

MK Moshe Saada sharply criticized MK Yoav Segalovich following a report by political analyst Yaakov Bardugo revealing that Segalovich, while serving as head of the Investigations Division in the Israeli police, attempted to influence journalistic coverage of a complaint against politician Shelly Yachimovich. According to the report, Segalovich personally called journalist Mati Tuchfeld to discourage extensive coverage of the complaint, which Tuchfeld had confirmed was officially under police investigation. Saada condemned Segalovich's actions as criminal offenses involving abuse of police power and obstruction of justice.

Saada further accused Segalovich of continuing harmful practices in his current political ambitions to join the Ra'am party. He alleged that during Segalovich's previous role overseeing crime in the Arab sector, government funds were improperly funneled directly to criminal organizations, effectively rewarding terror and crime groups rather than combating them. Saada warned that Segalovich intends to pursue similar policies if given political influence again.

The incident came to light after Tuchfeld, now political desk chief at Channel 14, recounted receiving an unusual call from Segalovich’s personal phone. Segalovich sought to downplay the significance of the complaint against Yachimovich’s campaign in the Labor Party primaries and urged Tuchfeld not to make it a headline story. Tuchfeld described the call as shocking interference by a senior police official in political journalism. Despite the pressure, the story was published as planned.

Bardugo’s exposé and Saada’s response highlight concerns about the misuse of police authority for political ends and raise questions about Segalovich’s conduct both as a police official and as a politician. Saada’s accusations frame the episode as a serious legal violation, not merely an ethical lapse, signaling potential legal and political repercussions for Segalovich.