An unknown individual set fire to a new cafe in Ramat Gan over the fact that the cafe is open on Saturdays, according to an N12 News report on Tuesday.
According to N12, the owner of the cafe received multiple threats regarding the cafe’s business hours since it opened.
The arson, which took place over the weekend, caused heavy damage to the building.
Tel Aviv District Police have initiated an investigation into the incident, launching a manhunt to find the suspected arsonist, who was captured on video setting the fire.
Ramat Gan mayor condemns fire, calls for community to support cafe
Ramat Gan Mayor Carmel Shama-Hacohen condemned the arson, stating that it was not only an attack on the cafe, but a direct attack on “the character of Ramat Gan as a city of liberty for everyone.”
"We will not allow any criminal to light a fire of hatred in the heart of Ramat Gan,” Shama-Hacohen asserted. "Anyone who thinks of setting up 'religious guards' in the city and burning down places that are open on Shabbat will quickly discover that they have achieved the opposite.”
He also encouraged the local community to support the cafe as a show of his city’s strength.
According to N12, Shama-Hacohen also called for the cafe to be supplied with double the number of tables and chairs it had before the fire to accommodate new customers who visit to support the business.