Arad Mayor Yair Maayan launched a sharp attack on the city’s chareidi community following the circulation of video footage showing children throwing stones on Shabbos, declaring that Arad “was and will remain a secular city” while calling for increased police enforcement.

In a statement released Saturday night, Maayan said he was “shocked” by the video, adding that city officials had also received reports this week that girls walking in the street had been spat on.

“We will not tolerate the actions of extremist criminals under any circumstances. The city of Arad was and will remain secular, and we will not allow chareidim to act violently in any way,” he said.

The mayor said he had contacted the commander of the Arad Police Station and demanded stronger enforcement measures and immediate action in response to such incidents. He also urged residents to report any unusual or criminal activity directly to police.

“In every such case, immediately call the 100 emergency hotline, request that a police patrol respond, file a formal complaint, and photograph and document the incident as clearly as possible,” Maayan wrote. “Only by arresting offenders will we succeed in eliminating crime and violence in the city.”

{Matzav.com}