Tax Authority Workers Assaulted by Hundreds in Bnei Brak Amid Protests

Earlier on Friday in Bnei Brak, employees of the Israeli Tax Authority were violently attacked by hundreds of people during a protest at the city entrance. The Tax Authority's director, Shay Aharonovitch, described the incident as a lynching and noted it was the second such violent event in recent days, following a similar attack on workers last week. The Tax Authority issued a letter to Bnei Brak Mayor Hanokh Zeibert condemning the violence and criticizing the municipality for failing to denounce the attacks publicly.

As a result of the ongoing violence and the municipality's silence, the Tax Authority's director instructed the Compensation Fund to immediately halt processing claims related to war damages suffered by Bnei Brak residents during the recent "With a Lion" and "Roar of the Lion" military operations. This suspension will remain until the city issues a clear and unequivocal condemnation of the violence, which must be publicly communicated to the ultra-Orthodox community through the media.

The letter was also sent to Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Compensation Fund director Amir Dahan, and the Tax Authority's management. The violent incidents reportedly involved ultra-Orthodox individuals stealing flags from counter-protesters, escalating tensions at the scene. The Tax Authority's firm stance highlights the severity of the attacks and the demand for official condemnation to ensure the safety of its employees and uphold the rule of law in Bnei Brak.