"An Employee from the Border Area Was in Panic": Testimony on the Attack at the Religious Zionism Headquarters
Activists from the "Omdim Beyachad" organization broke into the Religious Zionism party headquarters in Shoham. The incident involved a protest using simulated blood, causing panic among the staff.
Activists from the far-left organization "Omdim Beyachad" ("Standing Together") broke into the Religious Zionism party headquarters in Shoham earlier today (Wednesday), blocked the exit, and held a protest that included shirts stained with red, hands painted in a color simulating blood, and signs. Following the incident, the party claimed that this was a break-in into a political headquarters and demanded that the police open an investigation.
Hila Vatkin, an eyewitness who was present at the scene during the incident, told in an interview with "Yoman Tsohorayim" ("Noon Journal") with Ido Tauber about the moments of panic inside the headquarters:
"We heard shouting and saw a group of far-left activists covered in blood on their hands, clothes, and on the floor. There was one employee from the Gaza envelope who saw them and became distressed. Eventually, when they heard that the police were on their way, they fled from here."
In footage from the scene, the activists were seen inside the building, some sitting on the floor in front of a glass door on which red handprints were smeared, and others standing on the staircase while displaying hands painted in red and chanting protest slogans. On one of the walls at the location, a sign of the Religious Zionism party was visible with the name of the party chairman, Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
Initially, it was reported by police sources that it was a protest and that the activists had left the scene even before the forces arrived. Later, following criticism from party officials and the intervention of Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir, the police published a clarification stating that they would not allow incitement, violence, or breaking the law under the guise of a protest. Police officers arrived at the headquarters and collected testimonies from employees who were present at the scene.
Minister Bezalel Smotrich reacted sharply to the incident and said that he is "shocked by the violence directed this morning against the Religious Zionism headquarters." According to him, this is a serious incident that requires an investigation and the prosecution of those involved. The party demanded that the police ensure the safety of party employees in Israel and emphasized that "there is no place for violence in the political arena."
