After the hearing: Yoav Eliasi "HaTzel" officially dismissed from the police

Yoav Eliasi, known by his nickname "HaTzel", was officially dismissed on Sunday from the police after undergoing a hearing following an affair in which he was investigated by the Police Investigation Department (Mahash). Eliasi served as a standby squad commander in the Tel Aviv District. After the affair was exposed, his activity was frozen, his weapon was deposited, and he was subsequently summoned for a hearing, which resulted in the decision to end his volunteering.

Sources close to Eliasi note that the dismissal was automatic. According to them, "any volunteer who is under investigation is immediately removed by the system. It is called MBAD — awaiting legal clarification." They further note that if the investigation ends without findings of guilt, Eliasi will be able to return to the police.

"HaTzel" stated after the decision:

"Every time they say that someone else 'dismissed' me. At first, it was published that I was dismissed by the Police Commissioner, who was quite surprised to discover that he had dismissed me, while in reality, it was I who froze my volunteering until clarification. Now they are recycling headlines again: 'HaTzel finally dismissed after the hearing.' This is also not true. The situation at the moment is called MBAD — awaiting legal clarification. When a volunteer is under investigation, the system stops his activity until the end of the clarification."

He added: "Apparently, 'HaTzel was dismissed' is worth more ratings than the facts. And in any case, one thing no headline will take from me: I am proud of the three years I gave to the Israel Police. Proud of the people I saved. Proud of the sleepless nights, the scenes, the terror attacks, and the thousands of hours of volunteering. I did not come to the police for a rank, a position, or a headline — I came to give. And what I gave, no one can dismiss."

The affair began following claims that Eliasi allegedly used his connections in the police for the benefit of an entertainment complex in Tel Aviv. Subsequently, Eliasi was investigated under caution by Mahash on suspicion of breach of trust. At the same time, three police officers, including an intelligence coordinator, were investigated on suspicion of granting police leniencies to a nightclub owned by his brother. Eliasi claimed through his lawyer that he never used his connections for the benefit of the club and that there was no actual action behind statements made in a private conversation.

At the hearing held after the investigation, Eliasi said that for three years he gave his all to volunteering, operated under fire, and dedicated time to service at the expense of his family and business. Despite his words, it has been decided to dismiss him officially. The criminal procedure in the affair has not yet ended, and the Mahash investigation is still ongoing.