Finance Minister Smotrich Condemns Attack on Tax Inspectors During Bnei Brak Raid

On Wednesday, tax inspectors from the Israeli Tax Authority conducting a surprise audit in the Kiryat Vizhnitz neighborhood of Bnei Brak were violently attacked by a crowd of hundreds, including youths and children. The inspectors, who demonstrated notable fluency in Yiddish and conducted a thorough examination of business records, bank accounts, payment apps like Bit, and order logs, faced hostility culminating in egg-throwing and verbal abuse.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich strongly condemned the violence on his X (formerly Twitter) account, labeling the attackers as "lawless thugs" and expressing full support for the tax officials. He emphasized that such aggression against law enforcement personnel performing their duties with professionalism and dedication is unacceptable. Smotrich called on the Israeli Police and enforcement agencies to act swiftly and decisively to hold the perpetrators accountable.

Local business owners were surprised by the inspectors’ detailed and meticulous approach, which included cross-referencing financial data with mobile order calendars to uncover unreported projects. The incident highlights tensions in the ultra-Orthodox community of Bnei Brak regarding tax enforcement efforts. The Finance Minister’s statement signals a firm government stance on upholding law and order during tax inspections in the city.

Authorities are expected to investigate the attack and pursue legal action against those involved in the assault on the tax inspectors.