Far-right MK removed from active duty after ‘claiming’ Lebanese house as his office

Israeli Knesset member Yitzhak Kroizer from the Otzma Yehudit Party was removed from active reserve duty after a photo surfaced showing him in a house in southern Lebanon with graffiti on the wall that read, “Office of MK Kroizer.”

In the image, which circulated on Friday, Kroizer is posing with armed Israeli soldiers positioned on a staircase inside the house. Following this incident, the IDF reassigned Kroizer from his combat position to a reserve unit designated for public officials, reported Haaretz.

The occupation army clarified that Knesset members are generally restricted from reserve duty except under special circumstances, and Kroizer’s request had been given prior approval. However, the army views the graffiti and the circulation of the photo as “an action that does not serve an operational need on the battlefield” and considers it “a violation of protocol.”

In response, Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir voiced his support for Kroizer on X, saying: “MK Kroizer, you are the pride of Otzma Yehudit, and you are the pride of the people of Israel.”

“Thank you for the dozens of reserve days you volunteered in the past year. Shame on the IDF command who fired you because of the publication of this photo.”

Kroizer also posted on X, confirming his dismissal, and stating: “I’ve had the privilege of fighting for you during more than 100 days of reserve duty over the past year. I’ll continue to fight for you in the Knesset together with my friends from the Otzma Yehudit faction.”

Meanwhile, Israel’s National Unity Party chairman, Benny Gantz, said that while Kroizer’s actions warranted investigation and “possible disciplinary punishment,” dismissing a Knesset member who volunteered for reserve duty “sends the wrong message.”

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