Police suspend Yoav Eliasi over recordings claiming influence with law enforcement officers
Eliasi’s firearm was confiscated following the decision, and the Police Internal Investigations Department opened a review of the information revealed in the report.
Yoav Eliasi, a right-wing activist and musician, was suspended by the Israel Police Commissioner over recordings that revealed his alleged influence with police officials. The controversy intensified following a Haaretz report detailing Eliasi's boasts about his connections with law enforcement and claims that they prevented the closure of an entertainment complex where he had a stake.
The recordings captured Eliasi asserting that he would ensure the club "cannot be touched" and demanding immediate police contact, even at odd hours. He expressed anger when informed of the venue's closure following a violent incident, vowing to speak with the officer responsible personally. Eliasi also referred to an officer at the Lev Tel Aviv police station as a brother whom he would speak with.
Following the commissioner's decision, Eliasi's firearm was confiscated, and the Police Internal Investigations Department launched an inquiry into the matter. Witnesses testified that Eliasi was viewed as the go-to person for any police-related issues at the complex. The report also revealed that Eliasi had previously been a partner in the Q Gallery restaurant, operated by a family-owned company where he held shares at one point before they were transferred to his brother, who now owns the company entirely.
Eliasi's legal team argued that the police commissioner's decision was not based on newspaper reports and that Eliasi remains committed to upholding the law, expecting to return to his position of commanding the rapid response unit.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
