Haredi Man and Family Attacked with Burning Cigarette in Ashdod City Center

Shortly after midnight on Saturday night in Ashdod's City Center, a Haredi man walking home with his wife and young daughters was targeted in a violent hate incident. A young man on an electric scooter approached them, shouted insults, and threw a burning cigarette at the man's back. Fortunately, the cigarette landed on a non-flammable part of his clothing, preventing a fire. Shocked, the man shouted "Shame on you!" causing the attacker to flee quickly.

Fearing escalation and further violence from the attacker’s accomplices, the man's wife and daughters hurried home in distress. During their escape, another young man, a friend of the attacker, approached and apologized on his behalf. The family suspects the apology was motivated by fear of police action, as the intersection where the attack occurred is monitored by 24/7 security cameras. Despite the apology, the family returned home shaken and horrified.

The family emphasized there was no provocation or prior interaction, describing the attack as a deliberate attempt to intimidate and harm. They expressed concern that ongoing incitement against the Haredi community is increasingly manifesting in violent acts. They noted that similar incidents in the past have escalated to knife attacks, and this time the outcome was a narrow escape from potential disaster.