Yoav Eliasi ("HaTzel") Breaks Silence on Police Probe: "Of Course I Was Feeding Him a Line"

On Sunday, it was revealed that the Police Internal Investigations Department (PIID) interrogated a police officer with the rank of Major (Rav-Pakad) under caution on suspicion of promoting the interests of rapper Yoav Eliasi ("HaTzel") at an entertainment complex in Tel Aviv. According to the PIID, the offense attributed to the officer is breach of trust. At the end of the interrogation, the officer was released under restrictive conditions.

As previously reported by the newspaper "Haaretz", the musician allegedly used his police connections to benefit the entertainment complex. Recordings were published in which he discussed connections that supposedly helped prevent the closure of the "John Doe" club following a violent incident. It was also reported that Eliasi's weapon was confiscated. Following these reports, the PIID initiated an inquiry.

In one recording from May 2025, Eliasi is heard telling a partner: "I am educating them there in the police that this club cannot be touched. Anything related to the police and the club, you call me at that same moment, no matter what time it is."

Upon learning that the club was to be closed at 4:30 that day, the rapper was furious: "It annoys me very much. Why did they close it? And who is the policeman? It is very important." Upon realizing the club manager had spoken with officer Menashe Mansour from the Lev Tel Aviv station, Eliasi remarked: "Menashe is a friend like a brother. I will talk to him now."

Amid the ensuing storm, Eliasi appeared on the program "HaTzinor" on Channel 13, addressing the allegations: "The recordings do not sound good. One can put it on the table, it sounds the worst. I think if I had received such information about someone, I would also have celebrated it. At the end of the day, these are recordings with one of my best friends. When I talk to a good friend, I am not careful about what I say."

Eliasi claimed he felt uncomfortable refusing his friend's request for help but did not mean what he said: "I throw out: 'Don't worry, I will handle it for you. If they come, let me know.' Brother, it's nonsense. Of course I was feeding him a line. What was I supposed to tell him: 'I don't want to help you?' I bragged, I admit it. But I didn't brag to show how big and strong I am; I bragged so they would feel I am doing something for them."

In response to the Police Commissioner's decision, attorneys Ariel Atari and Yaniv Lankri, representing Eliasi, stated: "The Commissioner did not dismiss Yoav Eliasi. Eliasi serves as a Major of the district standby unit in Tel Aviv, dedicates his time to the security of residents, and receives much praise for his actions. We are convinced the Commissioner does not make decisions based on newspaper publications, and we expect an orderly procedure to be held. Mr. Eliasi chose to freeze his service on his own initiative until the inquiry ends. Major Eliasi has strictly adhered to the law and looks forward to returning to command the unit."