Bus Driver Assaulted and Threatened with Death by Passenger in Afula
A Superbus driver was assaulted and threatened in Afula by a passenger who had reportedly attacked him two weeks prior. Police arrested the suspect, while transport unions demanded enhanced security.
A bus driver for the Superbus company was assaulted in Afula by a passenger who spat at him, punched him in the back of the head, and threatened to kill him, according to the Transportation Workers Union at Koach LaOved. The union reported that during the attack, the assailant shouted at the driver, "Arab terrorist, you need to be killed." Police apprehended the suspect and brought him in for questioning.
The incident took place on minibus line 247. According to reports, the passenger boarded the vehicle and sat directly behind the driver. As the driver began to move, the passenger spat at him, cursed him, and struck him in the back of the head. The driver stopped the vehicle and called the police.
The suspect then attempted to flee, damaging the ticketing machine and the bus door on his way out. The union stated that the individual is known to police for repeatedly attacking drivers and had allegedly assaulted the exact same driver just two weeks prior.
The driver, identified as N., recounted the terrifying ordeal. "Just two weeks ago I had a similar incident with this passenger, and he spat on me then as well," he said. "I am simply trying to do my job, which is why I said nothing and let him board." Other drivers reportedly recognized the attacker and confirmed similar encounters.
"It is unacceptable that he endangers me and the passengers," the driver added. "I am still shaken from the blows, but I got off easy—I later realized he was carrying pepper spray. I shudder to think what could have happened had he used it while driving." Itai Cohen, head of the transport division at Koach LaOved, called for the deployment of a mobile security unit in Afula. The union emphasized that drivers' lives in Afula will not be compromised.
