One shove: Givatayim man arrested at Bennett rally

One push set off a chain of events that ended with a 23-year-old man from Givatayim in police custody on Saturday night. The incident occurred in Tel Aviv, where former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett was addressing a crowd demanding a commission of inquiry into the failures during the October 7 massacre.

Bennett, the chairman of the B'Yachad party, served as prime minister from June 2021 to June 2022. His current rally focused on accountability, taking place just days before the 2026 Knesset elections. Israeli Defense Force soldiers had already cast their ballots at military polling stations earlier that week.

The suspect approached the security perimeter while shouting “Only Bibi,” a slogan supporting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Police sources indicate the man was under the influence of alcohol. He attempted to move closer to Bennett despite instructions from the guards, who were working to maintain a safe distance.

When a bodyguard pushed the man back, the suspect did not retreat. Instead, he confronted the officer and shoved him in return. The remaining security team subdued the man and held him at the park scene while waiting for help.

Police officers arrived to arrest the suspect and transported him to a local station for questioning. An initial check revealed that the man had no prior criminal record. Investigators are currently reviewing the details of the confrontation to determine the next steps in the case.