'You Arabs should not be here': Suspect arrested for spitting at, threatening pharmacist

An Israeli man, Eliezer Bublil, 63, was arrested on suspicion of threatening a pharmacist, spitting at her, and making racist remarks, including "You Arabs should not be here." The incident occurred at a Clalit Health Services pharmacy in Even Yehuda.

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You Arabs should not be here.

According to police, Bublil arrived at the pharmacy with a prescription for his wife. A dispute arose when he claimed the pharmacists refused to fulfill his request. During the altercation, he allegedly began to curse, issue threats, and spat at one of the pharmacists. Pharmacy staff alerted the police, leading to Bublil's arrest on charges of threats and assault.

During a hearing at the Petah Tikva Magistrate's Court, police requested an extension of Bublil's detention. A police representative detailed the events, noting the pharmacist felt frightened and called her manager before the suspect spat at her. Security camera footage allegedly documenting the incident was presented to the court.

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The suspect arrived at the health clinic in Even Yehuda. There was a dispute with the pharmacists at the location. The pharmacist was frightened and called the department manager. When she arrived, he spat at the pharmacist.

Bublil's defense attorney argued against continued detention, stating the confrontation stemmed from the pharmacists' refusal to dispense medication for his wife, who had undergone back surgery. The attorney emphasized Bublil's age and suggested a restraining order would suffice. Judge Dror Kletman agreed, releasing Bublil under restrictive conditions, including a 15-day ban from the pharmacy and prohibiting contact with the pharmacist. The judge described the incident as "ugly" but assessed the level of dangerousness as low.

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Despite the ugliness of the incident, the level of dangerousness is low.