Chareidi Fanatic Attacks Beit Shemesh Mayor, Throwing Beer & Ice Cream

It should now be quite evident to all that the extremists among the chareidi tzibur in Beit Shemesh know no boundaries, and sadly, this hashkafa is spilling over to the youth, who are exhibiting signs of becoming increasingly fanatic and tenacious in their fight against the ‘Zionist enemy.’ This includes an unprovoked assault against the mayor of that city, Beit Shemesh Mayor (Shas) Moshe Abutbul, who himself is a member of the chareidi tzibur, however, a representative of the Zionist regime in their eyes.

On Sunday night, the eve of 18 Menachem Av, a man described as being a 20-year-old resident of the city, threw beer and ice cream on the mayor, hitting him in his face and spilling onto his clothing.

When police checked the suspect, he was found to be carrying pepper spray (which is legal) and a knife. He was arrested and will face charges of assaulting a public official, illegal possession of a knife, and possibly other charges. He was scheduled to be arraigned in the Jerusalem Magistrate Court on Monday.

The incident is reported on the Shemesh-Net website. The mayor is quoted saying, “According to eyewitnesses, it was timed, and when I came down from the stage after singing ‘Who believes not afraid’ – how symbolic – I went down and walked around the crowd and wished them well during the summer vacation. The suspect was arrested after throwing what he threw on me.”

The mayor is quoted adding he does not recognize the attacker, and that he hopes police will do their job for violence is unacceptable as there are norms defining what is and what is not acceptable, regardless of the intended target.