"They tried to kill me" • proprietor of Goloventzitz compound beaten by 'Atra Kadisha'

This morning (Thursday), a mission of Roshei yeshivos visited Harav Aryeh Golovenzitz, who was beaten last night by a group of men who identified themselves as members of Atra Kadisha.

Golovenzitz was previously one of the owners of the compound which made headlines, and about which a serious confrontation is conducted between the organization of Atra Kadisha and the association of preventing desecration of graves in Israel.

Last night, some men who identified themselves as members of Atra Kadisha, broke into the home of Golovenzitz in Bayit Vegan and confronted him. During the conflict, he was beaten and pushed down the stairs.

Golovenzitz was injured and taken to hospital, where he was diagnosed with a fractured skull.

"First, one of them knocked on the door and said that he's collecting for hachnasas kallah," said Golovenzitz, "I brought him in and then seven others arrived. After a brief conversation they shouted at me that I am not acting for solving the problem at the compound and stopping the work. I explained to them that I'm not connected to the project and have sold the land.

"Nevertheless, they jumped on me and beat me with a blunt object and I felt that they wanted to kill me. They pushed me down the stairs and shouted: It's only the first visit and the next time will be worse."

Not the first strike

The compound issue made headlines again in recent days, after the Eida Haredis determined that one should not dig in the grounds for fear of burial caves in place, while the rabbis guiding the Society for the Prevention of Desecration of Graves in Israel, Hagaon Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch Rav"d of Eida Haredis and Hgr"n Karelitz, have determined that one can continue working without interruption.

Golovenzitz complained to his associates, that he has never been summoned to the BADATZ court, for the purpose of hearing his opinion on the issue and expressed surprise that the court ruled regarding the complex, ex parte, i.e. Atra Kadisha.

Golovenzitz was quoted with statements to the effect that, for the above, he is not required to comply with the judgment. However, he never came out openly against 'Atra Kadisha' and tried to walk between the raindrops, to promote the housing project.

It should be noted that this is not the first time that those involved in the project were attacked. Other project managers were also attacked and their property was damaged. But they refrained from filing a complaint with the police.

This time a complaint was filed with the police and the police which considers the case very seriously - began an investigation. Arrests are expected of members of Atra Kadisha.

Behadrey Haredim reporter contacted one of the leaders of Atra Kadisha, to obtain his response. He said the organization does not have any connection with the case.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!