Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Wednesday strongly condemned the attack on Israel Tax Authority inspectors during an enforcement operation in Bnei Brak, pledging his full support for the officials and calling for those responsible to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

The confrontation erupted after a team of Israel Tax Authority inspectors arrived in the Vizhnitzer neighborhood of Bnei Brak to conduct a planned surprise audit of local businesses. During the inspections, the officials reportedly demonstrated an unusual command of Yiddish as they carefully examined business records, including bank accounts, appointment books, and transactions made through the Bit payment app.

As the inspections continued, hundreds of bochurim and children gathered around the inspectors, surrounding them, shouting insults, and throwing eggs at the government officials.

In a statement posted on X, Smotrich denounced the incident, writing: “I strongly condemn the violence carried out today against Israel Tax Authority personnel by lawless thugs in Bnei Brak.”

He expressed full support for the inspectors, adding, “Such violence against law enforcement officials who carry out their duties faithfully and professionally is completely unacceptable.”

Smotrich concluded by urging law enforcement authorities to act swiftly against those involved.

“I stand behind the employees and all members of the Israel Tax Authority, and I call on the Israel Police and the relevant enforcement agencies to act decisively and without delay to bring the rioters to justice with the full force of the law,” he said.

According to reports, the inspectors had been conducting a routine audit as they moved from one business to another throughout the Vizhnitzer neighborhood. Witnesses said the officials appeared highly familiar with the local community and even seemed to understand conversations conducted in Yiddish.

“It looked like they understood the Yiddish spoken in the neighborhood,” one resident said. “They knew exactly where to look.”

Local business owners were reportedly surprised by the thoroughness of the inspections. One shopkeeper said the auditors went far beyond reviewing cash registers, requesting access to bank accounts, examining transfers made through the Bit payment platform, reviewing computerized bookkeeping systems, and even cross-checking information with appointment calendars and mobile phone schedules in an effort to identify projects and income that had not been reported.