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'When I came to, I tasted blood': Jerusalem bus driver attacked by teenagers, loses four teeth

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • An Arab Superbus driver in Jerusalem was severely beaten by teenagers, losing four teeth and consciousness.
  • The attack occurred while the bus was stopped at a red light, with the driver opening his window to investigate banging on the vehicle.
  • A lawmaker condemned the incident as part of a dangerous rise in racism and violence, urging police and the justice system to act.

A Jerusalem bus driver suffered a brutal attack by a group of teenagers, leaving him unconscious and with four missing teeth. The incident occurred Saturday when the Superbus driver stopped at a red light in the Ramot intersection. Teenagers began banging on the bus, and when the driver opened his window to see what was happening, he was violently assaulted.

I had only just started my shift. I heard loud banging on the side of the vehicle. I had only just opened the window when I was hit with tremendous force.

— M., the driverDescribing the moments leading up to the assault.

He lost consciousness for several minutes and awoke to the continued threats and curses of his attackers. The driver managed to drive away and contact the police before being taken to the hospital for treatment. "I had only just started my shift," he recounted. "I heard loud banging on the side of the vehicle. I had only just opened the window when I was hit with tremendous force."

Recounting the terrifying moments, he said, "I may have been unconscious for about two minutes. When I came to, I could taste blood in my mouth. All around me there were curses, shouting, and faces filled with hatred. Why? I do not know. I had simply started my shift." He added that he panicked and drove through the intersection, fearing what might have happened if passengers had been on board.

I may have been unconscious for about two minutes. When I came to, I could taste blood in my mouth. All around me there were curses, shouting, and faces filled with hatred. Why? I do not know. I had simply started my shift.

— M., the driverRecounting his experience after regaining consciousness.

MK Jafar Farah, director of the Mossawa Center for Arab Citizens' Rights, condemned the attack, linking it to a broader trend of legitimizing racism and violence. "The criminals who attacked the driver felt they had a tailwind and believed that even if they were caught, there would be someone who would take care of them," Farah stated. He blamed the current government for inciting hatred and called for police and the justice system to treat Arab lives equally, urging the public to join the fight against racist violence.

I panicked and drove through the intersection, but I apparently was still not fully conscious, and I felt that I was losing control. Luckily, I managed to park the bus. I do not want to think about what could have happened had there been passengers on board.

— M., the driverDetailing his escape and his thoughts on the potential consequences.

Itay Cohen, head of the transportation division at the Israeli labor union Koach LaOvdim, also condemned the incident, calling it a crossing of a line in the violence against public transportation workers. He emphasized that only the driver's quick thinking prevented a potential disaster.

The criminals who attacked the driver felt they had a tailwind and believed that even if they were caught, there would be someone who would take care of them. A direct result of a coalition and government that incites hatred, instead of fighting it.

— Jafar FarahMK Jafar Farah's condemnation of the attack and its perceived political roots.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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