Right-wing activist held for entering apartment complex of Arab Israeli anchor Lucy Aharish

Right-wing provocateur Mordechai David was detained Saturday night by police after entering the Tel Aviv apartment complex of Lucy Aharish, an Arab Israeli news anchor, with a megaphone, in a move that her network called a dangerous “escalation” in threats against journalists.

Police said he was detained for trespassing and disturbing the peace along with another protester, named by Hebrew media as Likud activist Rami Ben-Yehuda.

David was captured on video arguing with Aharish’s partner, “Fauda” star Tsahi Halevi, outside the building. Footage showed Halevi saying: “You’ve come to my home? Where do you want this to go?”

David was seen arguing that he had a right to protest at her home in the same way that anti-government protesters hold demonstrations outside the homes of political leaders.

David could also be heard challenging Halevi to hit him.

Commenting on the incident, the Israel Police said it “allows freedom of protest and expression to every citizen, but will not allow violation of public order, blocking traffic routes, and harming the normal fabric of life of the city’s residents.”

חטף קריזה, צחי הלוי צועק על מרדכי דוד שהגיע סמוך לביתו – מרדכי דוד עוכב לחקירה. pic.twitter.com/96UEkd3zTL

— מה חדש. What's new❓ (@Gloz111) February 21, 2026

David and Ben-Yehuda were later released from custody and barred from approaching Aharish’s home, or contacting her, for a period of 14 days.

David was also seen on Saturday night trying to block the paths of two other journalists, Shai Goldin and Raviv Druker, a noted critic of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

According to Channel 12, David claimed he was protesting Aharish due to recent statements she made on air for Channel 13, in which she pointed to the “righteous anger” of Arab Israelis due to the perceived government inaction over the crime wave that has ripped through the community in recent years.

She said, “In the upcoming elections, they will flock in huge numbers to the ballot boxes to exercise their democratic right in the democratic Jewish state.”

Responding to the incident, Channel 13 said Aharish’s security detail has been strengthened, and said it “views any harassment or threat toward its employees seriously, and has filed several complaints on the matter. We expect law enforcement to act decisively against incidents of this type.”

The network added that it “has never been required to provide security for journalists at night while they are in their homes,” and it is “shocked by the escalation in manifestations of violence and harassment against journalists.”

Amid the outcry, journalists took to social media platforms to recall the actions of Aharish and Halevi on October 7, 2023. Halevi, who is said to have served hundreds of days in reserve duty over the past two years, fought in border communities amid the Hamas-led onslaught, and is widely credited with saving dozens of lives. Aharish, who due to her high-profile position received multiple pleas for help from those trapped during the attack, is said to have helped direct forces to reach and rescue them.

David, who was convicted of attempted arson in 2021, is known for his political stunts, regularly blocking the cars of politicians, journalists and other figures he disagrees with, and harassing them.

He has received support from members of Netanyahu’s governing coalition. He has been hosted by Justice Minister Yariv Levin and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who has authority over the police, and praised by other coalition politicians.

Earlier this month, he was questioned by police after blocking the car of former Supreme Court president Aharon Barak, calling the 89-year-old Holocaust survivor the “Khamenei of our generation,” as well that of former prime minister Ehud Barak (no relation).

In a video uploaded to X after his first detention this month, David claimed the investigation against him constituted “selective enforcement” and said it was launched solely because Israel Police Commissioner Danny Levy caved to “pressure from the left.”

David is also under a restraining order barring him from the home of MK Gilad Kariv of The Democrats, and was questioned last year on suspicion of threatening Channel 12 correspondent Guy Peleg after a speaking event in Tel Aviv.

Jeremy Sharon contributed to this report.