Abutbul. 'Words can kill'
Beit Shemesh mayor receives threat letter from 'secular lobby'
Letter sent to Moshe Abutbul's office contains threats of hurting him, his family, accompanied by bullet. Currently in South Africa, mayor calls on local opposition to condemn act
The crisis between seculars and the ultra-Orthodox in Beit Shemesh escalated Tuesday after Mayor Moshe Abutbul's office received a threat letter sent along with a bullet, Ynet has learned. Abutbul is currently abroad and has estimated that those who sent it were not Beit Shemesh residents.
The letter, which was signed by "the secular lobby", included threats on the mayor's life and his family. It stated, "There is a war. We are taking yours and your family's lives and creating a great boom for the haredim, we have great power and fire." The document is being examined by forensics experts.
The unrest in Beit Shemesh initially began following municipal elections a year and a half ago when former Likud mayor Daniel Vaknin was replaced by Shas representative Moshe Abutbul. Secular residents have been recently fighting the municipality and the mayor claiming Abutbul was harming secular institutions by promoting haredi classrooms.
Local opposition elements have been leading a public campaign against Abutbul's policy since his election and sources close to the mayor accused them of regularly inflaming matters in the city.
During a city council meeting two months ago Abutbul warned that the incitement directed at him may have serious repercussions and noted that "words can kill."
He is currently visiting South Africa and has addressed the threats during a conversation with Ynet. "All my decisions are made together with the legal and professional elements. I will not be dettered from acting resolutely for the benefit of all the various populations in the city in a practical manner."
He further added, "I turn on the opposition to condemn this serious incident before there is an additional deterioration and God forbid disaster strikes. I believe that the senders of the letter are not Beit Shemesh residents, whom are known for their tolerance, and I trust the police will find the perpetrators. "
