Right-wing activist and musician Yoav Eliasi, known as “The Shadow,” was suspended from his position as commander of a Tel Aviv District rapid response squad by Israel Police Commissioner Inspector-General Danny Levy in the latest twist to the controversy surrounding recordings of Eliasi.
The decision followed a Haaretz report that Eliasi, who is considered an associate and ally of National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, had boasted about his connections with police officials and claimed they helped prevent the closure of an entertainment complex in which he was a partner.
According to the report, Eliasi was recorded telling one of his partners at the complex that he makes sure that “this club cannot be touched.” He also asked that any contact from the police be referred to him immediately, regardless of the hour.
After being informed that police officers had ordered the venue closed at night following a violent incident, Eliasi was heard expressing anger over the decision. He asked which officer had handled the incident and said he would speak with him personally.
In the recordings, Eliasi also referred to Menashe Mansour, an officer at the Lev Tel Aviv police station, saying: “Menashe is a friend like a brother, I will speak with him now.”
Following Levy’s decision, Eliasi’s firearm was confiscated, and the Police Internal Investigations Department opened a review of the information revealed in the report.
Employees and security personnel at the complex said they had viewed Eliasi as the person to contact whenever a problem arose with the police, according to the report.
Venue's head of security testifies on Eliasi’s police connections
Idan Harpak, who served as head of security at the venue and was wounded in a stabbing, testified that he had been instructed to contact Eliasi whenever police intervened. Harpak said employees believed Eliasi’s connections with law enforcement officials helped the complex remain open even after serious incidents.
The report also found that Eliasi had been a partner in the Q Gallery restaurant through a company owned by his family. The restaurant operates above the John Doe nightclub.
According to published corporate records, Eliasi held shares in the company for a period before they were transferred back to his brother, Itamar, who is now registered as the company’s sole owner.
Eliasi's attorneys: Police commissioner did not remove Eliasi from his position
Attorneys Ariel Atari and Yaniv Lankri, who represent Eliasi, said in response that the police commissioner did not remove Eliasi from his position.
"Eliasi serves as a commander with the rank of chief superintendent in the Tel Aviv District’s district rapid response unit, devotes his days and nights to the security of residents of central Israel, and has received considerable praise for his actions," they said. "We are convinced that the police commissioner does not make decisions based on newspaper reports, and therefore we expect an orderly process to be conducted in his case that will allow his claims to be heard.
"Mr. Eliasi chose to freeze his service, on his own initiative, until the examination is completed," they continued. "Chief Superintendent Eliasi has been meticulous about upholding the law and intends to continue doing so, and he expects to return to commanding the rapid response unit and the valued people who serve in it."