More than 50 bullets: Pharmacy closed after owner refuses protection money

The business was closed due to a lack of governance: Pharmacist Awad Zbidat from Sakhnin decided to close his pharmacy, "Al-Pharmashani," after more than 50 bullets were fired at the business in two separate incidents within one month. According to Zbidat, unknown persons fired at the pharmacy after he refused to pay protection money in the amount of more than 200,000 shekels.

"The first time was about a month ago. I looked for the reason, I thought maybe I offended someone or there was some conflict with relatives, but I didn't find any reason for it," Zbidat told ynet. "I continued to work as usual, despite the feeling of anxiety that was felt in the family."

After a few weeks, Zbidat began receiving phone calls during which he was required to pay protection money in large amounts.

"I refused to surrender to their demands, and a few days ago they fired at the pharmacy again," said the pharmacy owner. "Because of this situation, I decided to close the business and declare an open-ended strike in protest against what happened."

Zbidat further said: "I cannot pay even one shekel as protection money. I opened the pharmacy two years ago, I invested large sums of money to establish it, and I worked day and night to build a name and a future for myself and my wife. Today we are starting to lose money because of the shooting, from here I call on everyone to stand firmly against this phenomenon. One must not surrender to those who demand protection money, one must fight them with determination."

Zbidat said that customers who heard about the shooting at the pharmacy were afraid to come to it. "I want to maintain my safety," he said. "It is unfortunate that the police have not managed to reach the perpetrators who are still walking free."

The police stated: "An investigation has been opened and it is ongoing."