Hatzel
HatzelTomer Neuberg/Flash 90

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Tzachi Hanegbi declared Sunday morning that the Israeli rapper Yoav Eliasi, popularly known as “Hatzel”, will never be accepted as a member of the Likud party, despite having formally joined the party last week.

During an interview with Army Radio, Hanegbi said Eliasi “will not be a member of the Likud, because his positions do not fit with [those of] the Likud.” But the minister refused to clarify just how the rapper, known for his strongly nationalist views, would be barred from the party.

Eliasi drew criticism from the Likud last week amid a feud with former minister MK Benny Begin. Following attacks by Begin, who slammed Eliasi’s decision to join the Likud, Eliasi responded in kind, claiming Begin’s son was a violently anti-Israel anarchist and that his daughter had converted to Islam.

“Who is he to preach to me? His daughter converted to Islam and his son throws rocks at IDF soldiers.”

The Begin family has denied both claims.

MK Yehuda Glick (Likud) joined in the condemnations, saying Eliasi must drop his “hateful” rhetoric if he wishes to be accepted within the party.

"To my knowledge, none of Begin's children ever converted to Islam. Unfortunately, the hateful remarks of Hatzel during the period of the Three Weeks cast a heavy shadow on his own Jewishness. If he wants to integrate into the Likud, I expect him to change his style and quickly,” said Glick.