WATCH: Bystanders rescue 11-year-old girl from kidnapping attempt in central Israel

An 11-year-old girl, identified only as M., narrowly escaped an abduction attempt on a busy street in Petah Tikva, Israel, on Wednesday afternoon. The incident occurred at a signaled crosswalk on Shlomo Shmeltzer Street, near the city's soccer stadium.

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M. is a rhythmic gymnast on nearby Hamefalsim Street and was on her way there. Her father was on a work shift. She got off the bus and was on the phone with her father.

M. was on her way to a rhythmic gymnastics class when a man suddenly appeared, lifted her, and began crossing the road. Her father, who was on a work shift, was on the phone with her at the time and heard her distress.

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At first people didn't understand what was even happening, because nobody can process that in the middle of the day someone would dare snatch a child like that.

Bystanders initially mistook the situation for a family matter but were alerted by the girl's screams. Several drivers stopped their vehicles, with one dismounting from a motorcycle, to rush to her aid. They tackled the suspect, who witnesses reported tried to grab the girl by the neck, and restrained him until police arrived.

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We won't let this story fade away. It's important to instill in children the understanding that, in such bizarre and insane situations, they must not give in. They have to scream at the top of their lungs to summon help, and there are also good people who step up to help.

Attorney Vic Reitman, who is assisting M.'s family, stated that the suspect assaulted medical staff after being taken for examination at the hospital. He emphasized the importance of children screaming for help in such situations and praised the citizens who intervened. Police confirmed their swift arrival and the suspect's arrest.

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It's important for every child to know they need to exercise extra caution, and in a situation like this, not to stop screaming and showing signs of distress. She was in a place that wasn't deserted, in the middle of the day, so this could happen to anyone. Fortunately, this is how it ended, and thank you to everyone who helped her.