About a hundred ultra-Orthodox Jews vandalized the homes of executives of the Aura real estate company in Tel Aviv last night (Friday night), due to allegations of construction over Jewish graves in the city of Yehud.
The rioters caused extensive damage, broke property, and threw bags of feces at the house and family members of the company's CEO.
According to reports, the rioters broke down the gate of the company's CEO Yaakov Ataken, broke the intercom system, and vandalized the yard of his private home. A similar attack was also carried out at the home of the company's VP.
On behalf of the company's CEO, it was claimed that the police "were aware of the actions in advance," and even warned his family in advance - "but did not send sufficient forces" to prevent the attack.
Currently, no arrests have been reported.
Aura expressed deep concern about the incident, calling it a "dangerous escalation." According to them, just last week the graves of the company's CEO's parents were vandalized, and now a direct attack has been carried out on his home.
""These are extremist fringe groups, some of them well-known, who operate using the 'protection' method, and are trying to blackmail developers through intimidation and spreading disinformation regarding the graves at the construction site," the company said.
The construction project at the center of the controversy is an 'evacuation-construction' project in the city of Yehud, which includes the demolition of ten old residential buildings and the construction of 444 housing units, commercial space, and public buildings.
According to the company's announcement, the project is being carried out legally and under the supervision of the Israel Antiquities Authority, which conducted a preliminary excavation and at this stage found no evidence of the existence of Jewish graves at the site - and despite this, a small group is trying to stop the development and terrorize those involved in it.
The company's owner and CEO, Yaakov Ataken: "Aura will not give in to threats, will not cease its activities, and will not allow lawless elements to set the agenda in the State of Israel. The company operates out of respect for Jewish tradition, out of responsibility to the public of tenants and families who are expected to move into the apartments, and out of full commitment to the law.
""What happened tonight is no longer a protest - but an organized, violent attack on an entrepreneur who is operating legally and within the framework of all the necessary permits. If we didn't have security guards tonight - it would have ended in disaster. I call on the police to act as soon as possible and deal with the rioters.".
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