Tax Authority will immediately stop war damage claims until Bnei Brak mayor condemns mob attacks

Tax Authority Director Shay Aharonovich has suspended all war damage claims in Bnei Brak, demanding that Mayor Hanoch Zeibert publicly condemn recent mob attacks against the authority's employees. The decision came after Tax Authority staff were violently assaulted by a crowd of hundreds on July 16 while performing their duties in the city.

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Tax Authority employees who had arrived in the city to carry out enforcement activities were violently attacked.

Videos circulating online depicted the officials being surrounded, with stones and other objects hurled at their vehicle and at police officers present. The employees required police rescue to escape the situation. Aharonovich stated in a letter to the mayor that the attacks led him to conclude Tax Authority employees are unwelcome in Bnei Brak.

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In light of the above, I can only conclude that Tax Authority employees are not welcome in your city.

The Compensation Fund will not process claims for damage incurred during operations "Rising Lion" and "Lion's Roar" until the municipality issues an unequivocal condemnation through various Haredi media channels. This action follows a previous violent incident against Tax Authority employees on July 8, which the Bnei Brak Municipality has also not yet condemned.

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I strongly condemn the violence perpetrated today against Tax Authority personnel by lawbreaking thugs in Bnei Brak.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich had previously condemned the July 8 attack, expressing support for the employees and calling for legal action against the perpetrators. The Tax Authority's move highlights a significant escalation in tensions between the authority and the city's residents.

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Such violence against law enforcement officers, who carry out their duties faithfully and professionally, cannot be tolerated.