Former corruption-busting cop throws in lot with Yesh Atid

The police’s former top anti-corruption figure announced he was going into politics and joining the Yesh Atid party Sunday.

Yoav Segalovitz, former head of the police’s Lahav 433 anti-fraud unit, said the last few weeks had “reinforced” his decision to enter politics, without detailing which of a number of simmering political affairs had inspired the move.

“I’m joining a party which is committed to the public, which prioritizes the fight against corruption with an understanding that corruption isn’t only criminal but also an evil wind that undermines crucial values like equality and trust,” he said at a press conference.

The centrist Yesh Atid was swept into Knesset in 2013 running a slate of political freshmen who campaigned on changing business as usual in the halls of power.

“Deputy Commissioner (Res.) Segalovitz joining Yesh Atid is part of a larger move which we are leading against old politics in Israel. Israel needs change,” party leader Yair Lapid said at a press conference with Segalovitz. “Deputy Commissioner (Res.) Segalovich stood at the forefront of the fight against corruption and he’s here to fight. His decision to join Yesh Atid is a force multiplier.”

Segalovich is one of the founders of the Lahav anti-fraud Unit, responsible for leading corruption investigations against major public figures in Israel, as well as the former head of the general financial crimes unit. He spent a total of thirty years in the police force.

The announcement of the former police officer’s entrance into the opposition party, whichg hold 11 Knesset seats, comes amid a political crisis that has seen two ministers recently quit their positions in protest of hardliner Avigdor Libeman being named the new defense minister.

Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked said on Sunday that new elections were “a possibility” if her Jewish Home party’s demands on reforming the security cabinet were not met.