"Neither violence nor terrorism will defeat us," Beit Shemesh Mayor Shmuel Greenberg told Ynet after he was attacked by haredi extremists as he was leaving a family celebration on Wednesday.
Greenberg's vehicle was smashed, vandalized and then flipped but he and his family were evacuated from the scene, according to a statement from the mayor's office.
When the mayor's wife arrived at the scene, the extremists threw diapers and other objects at her, Ynet said.
The mayor's son required medical treatment following the incident. Greenberg said he "trusts the Israel Police to bring the lawbreakers to justice."
תיעוד דרמטי וחסר תקדים: כעבור שעה, רק בדקות האחרונות חולץ ראש העיר בית שמש שמוליק גרינברג עם קסדה לראשו, בליווי כוח שוטרים שרץ עם ראש העיר לרכב חילוץ, תחת זריקות חפצים ואבנים. https://t.co/Du0aUQtDDJ pic.twitter.com/C6JarNyOoi
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The attack came amid protests by haredi extremists over a demolition order for an illegal synagogue a few weeks ago. Since the order was issued, extremists have been protesting regularly outside Mayor Greenberg's home, Ynet added.
Policies against illegal construction
Greenberg told N12 that his municipality has strict policies against illegal construction, and that "Any structure without a permit and without an allocation, whether in a garden or in a public area - is illegal."
"This incident will not stop us from maintaining public order at all costs," the mayor told Ynet. However, he added that "this kind of extremist activity is becoming part of the routine."
The Forum of Ultra-Orthodox Local Authorities issued a condemnation of the attack, stating that "the violence directed against Rabbi Greenberg is tantamount to an attack on his envoys - the Great Men of Israel."
The forum called on enforcement authorities to "act decisively to bring the attackers to justice."
Interior Minister Moshe Arbel said: "I strongly condemn the violent attack on the mayor of Beit Shemesh and his family. This is a dangerous crossing of a red line that cannot be tolerated under any circumstances. Attacking an elected official is an attack on the rule of law and democracy itself, and has no place in Israeli society."