"Human life is not up for grabs": Jet ski hits surfer as residents decry lack of police enforcement
Residents of Jisr az-Zarqa claim that a recent jet ski accident is the direct result of a dangerous lack of law enforcement on the village beach. They warn that without police intervention, further tragedies are inevitable.
A serious accident occurred yesterday at the fishermen's village beach in Jisr az-Zarqa, when a jet ski struck a young local surfer just a few dozen meters from the shore. The young man was evacuated to Hillel Yaffe Hospital with mild injuries, but his relatives warn that the incident could easily have resulted in a fatality.
Residents claim the accident is not an isolated case but a direct consequence of a dangerous reality where law and order are absent on the village beach. A veteran fisherman told Walla that dozens of jet skis and watercraft launch from the marina weekly without supervision, routinely violating navigation and safety laws. Many operate within the 300-meter zone where high-speed sailing is prohibited, often coming within meters of bathers and surfers.
Eyewitnesses report reckless speeds, erratic maneuvers, and even alcohol consumption among operators. Other ongoing violations include driving vehicles on the beach and leaving trailers and equipment at the water's edge, endangering the public and damaging the coastal environment.
Residents are equally critical of how the incident was handled. Witnesses claim the jet ski operator failed to provide aid to the victim and left the scene after providing a version of events that contradicted eyewitness accounts.
"The public is entitled to answers," said Sami Al-Ali, secretary of the village fishermen's committee. "How is it possible that after an injury occurred, the police did not arrive immediately to conduct a comprehensive investigation? Why does this lawlessness continue despite repeated complaints?"
Social activist Muhammad Amash added: "The current situation endangers lives daily—bathers, divers, children, and professional fishermen alike. It also causes environmental damage." Residents are demanding a permanent police presence, particularly on weekends, and stricter enforcement against safety violations.
"The question is not whether the next accident will happen, but when. If the authorities do not wake up now, yesterday's injury could turn into tomorrow's disaster," warned Al-Ali. "Human life is not up for grabs."
No response from the police has been received yet.
