Residents Live in Fear of Mentally Ill Neighbor, Authorities Offer No Help

Residents of an apartment building in Rishon LeZion are living in a state of constant fear, describing their situation as a "horror movie" due to the erratic behavior of a neighbor in his twenties. The man, who has a history of psychiatric hospitalizations, has escalated from property harassment, such as spilling oil on the floor and smearing silicone on security cameras, to more aggressive acts like driving a screwdriver into residents' doors. These incidents have caused significant distress among families and children in the building.

The neighbor, who previously lived with his mother for six years, has been alone in the apartment for the past few weeks after his mother left following disputes. Residents report that his behavior has worsened since then, with him wandering the building's common areas in unusual attire. One resident, Dina Zilbershtein, shared footage of the neighbor attempting to force a screwdriver into her door, an act she described as "straight out of a horror movie."

The fear is particularly acute for the children, with one 10-year-old reportedly too scared to leave his apartment without his mother present. Other residents express a daily sense of panic, fearing even simple tasks like taking out the trash or using the elevator alone. They feel authorities are waiting for a tragedy to occur before intervening.

Residents have repeatedly contacted the police and the district psychiatrist, but have been told that no action can be taken as long as the neighbor has not physically assaulted anyone. They feel caught in a bureaucratic loop, with the police directing them to the psychiatrist and vice versa, leaving them feeling abandoned and unsafe in their own homes. The residents emphasize their concern is not with the individual himself, but with the lack of supervision and treatment for someone whose condition makes him unfit for independent living.