Tiberias Mayor Yossi Ben David was attacked Saturday evening during a memorial ceremony being held at a residence in the city.
The suspect, a 58-year-old resident of the city, beat Ben David on his head and shoulder with bottles of water. The Mayor was evacuated to Poriya Hospital in the city and was hospitalized overnight.
Later that night, vehicles and a door belonging to the family in whose home the memorial ceremony was held were set on fire. In addition, an attempt was made to torch the municipality's door with a firebomb.
The Tiberias Municipality stated that "the Tiberias Municipality deplores and strongly condemns the brutal violence against the Mayor of Tiberias, Mr. Yossi Ben David, when he was physically attacked by one of the city residents at the height of a memorial ceremony held Saturday night in the city of Tiberias.
"There is no doubt that this harsh violence is the fruit of ongoing incitement on social networks, incitement that unfortunately creates a widespread infrastructure and encouragement for ongoing violence, both verbally and physically, against the Mayor. A police car arrived, the Mayor was sent to receive medical treatment, and a complaint will be filed against the attacker for assault and violence," the statement said.
