HaTzel Responds to Police Service Suspension Claims
Rapper Yoav Eliassi, known as "HaTzel," denied being forcibly removed from his role as a standby squad commander. He stated that he chose to freeze his volunteer service on his own initiative.
Rapper Yoav Eliassi, known by his stage name "HaTzel" ("The Shadow"), responded for the first time to the decision by Police Commissioner Dani Levy to remove him from his position as commander of the standby squad in the Tel Aviv district. Eliassi claimed that media reports are inaccurate and stated that he decided to freeze his service on his own initiative.
"No one removed me"
In a video posted to his Instagram account, HaTzel asserted that there was no official decision by the Commissioner to remove him. He explained that he stepped down for the sake of his unit members: "There are fighters under my command. So that they are not harmed by this story, I deposited my rifle and badge, stating that I am freezing my volunteering until the truth comes to light."
The rapper declined to address the specific allegations raised in a "Haaretz" investigation, which claims Eliassi used his police connections to benefit an entertainment complex he co-owns in Tel Aviv. Journalist Josh Breiner published recordings in which Eliassi allegedly boasts about "fixing matters" with the police following violent incidents at the club. Eliassi has denied these claims, telling "Haaretz": "I never intervened in the club's affairs with the police."
Conflict with the media
HaTzel claimed that the media has treated him as an enemy for the past 12 years, dating back to his opposition to a 2014 protest where demonstrators held signs against the IDF. "From that moment, the media became my enemy," he said.
Eliassi alleged that over the years, there have been constant attempts to frame him, leading to the cancellation of his performances and significant financial hardship. He also recalled a 2016 assassination attempt involving an explosive device in his car, noting that much of the media showed little interest in the event. He expressed confidence that the truth will emerge and that he will eventually return to his police duties.
