Hadera mayor’s car torched

Assailant escapes on scooter; municipal storage facility also set ablaze

By Ron Friedman 20 February 2013, 1:20 am

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Hadera Mayor Haim Avitan leads the city's Purim parade last year (photo credit: courtesy Hadera municipality)

Unknown assailants set fire to Hadera Mayor Haim Avitan’s car on Tuesday. The attackers hurled a Molotov cocktail at his vehicle while it was parked next to his house, before fleeing the scene aboard a scooter.

Hadera police said they have launched an investigation into the attack, but said they know of no likely motives. No one was hurt in the attack.

Security around the mayor has been increased.

“It doesn’t scare or intimidate me. I will carry on with my path. I have no enemies and have never received threats,” said Avitan. Later he said he thought rival politicians might be behind the attack.

Earlier in the evening a municipal warehouse was also set on fire. The police believe the two incidents are related.

The warehouse stored equipment meant to be used in the city’s Purim parade next week. Avitan said that despite the fact that some of the floats were completely destroyed, the festivities would be carried out as planned.

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