Early Thursday morning, the Likud headquarters in Bnei Brak was set on fire by unknown persons. Firefighters managed to extinguish the fire without casualties but as seen in the photo, damage to the office was extensive.

Likud claims that the place was set on fire because Yaakov Wider, chairman of the Likud faction in the Bnei Brak Municipality and director of the site, has been running a battle against corruption in the city of Bnei Brak in recent years, and is therefore threatened by extremist elements.

According to the Likud announcement in Bnei Brak, “a few hours ago, at a meeting of the city council last night, Wider revealed that the municipality is transferring public funds to employ hundreds of associates of municipal officials without a tender and against the law”.

The Likud says “Wider has been threatened for a long time, even regarding the dramatic rise in the chareidi votes for Likud that he leads, but the Israel Police has not raised a finger so far in the matter.

“It is inconceivable that a public servant in the State of Israel will be afraid of its life because it faithfully fulfills its role”.

The commander of the Dan district of the police arrived at the scene and gave an official order not to settle for less than locating and prosecuting the arsonists.

Yaakov Wider, chairman of the Likud faction in the Bnei Brak municipality: “I am announcing that threats and violence will not deter me and will continue to carry out my public mission with integrity and without bias. I thank the firefighters and hope that this time the Israel Police will strive to bring those responsible to justice.”

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem/Likud Bnei Brak)