Police arrest man who shoved security guard at Bennett rally

Police took a 23-year-old man into custody on Saturday night after he physically confronted a bodyguard at a rally in Tel Aviv. The incident occurred during a gathering organized by former prime minister Naftali Bennett, who is the chairman of the B'Yachad party. The event called for the creation of a commission of inquiry to investigate the failures leading up to the October 7 massacre.

The suspect, identified as a resident of Givatayim, allegedly approached the security detail while shouting the slogan “Only Bibi,” a phrase of support for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Initial reports indicate he was under the influence of alcohol. He attempted to push through the perimeter despite verbal instructions from the guards to stay back.

One guard pushed the man away to maintain the barrier. The suspect did not retreat and instead shoved the guard in return. The security team subdued the man and held him at the scene until officers arrived. Police transported the suspect to a local station for questioning.

Investigators found that the man had no prior criminal record. They are currently examining the specific circumstances of the confrontation. The timing of the arrest falls in the days before the 2026 Knesset elections. Soldiers in the Israel Defense Forces had already voted at military polling stations earlier in the week.

Bennett served as prime minister from June 2021 to June 2022. The rally in the Tel Aviv park served as a public platform for his current political campaign. The dispute over the establishment of an inquiry into the war remains a central issue in the upcoming electoral cycle.