Pharmacist Shot in Sakhnin Pharmacy After Refusing to Pay Protection Money

A pharmacist in Sakhnin, Awad Zbeidat, was shot and moderately wounded on Saturday evening when two masked assailants entered his "Alfarmashani" pharmacy and opened fire. Zbeidat was evacuated to Ha'emek Medical Center in Nahariya for treatment. The shooting occurred in front of his wife and two customers, who narrowly avoided injury. Witnesses reported that the gunmen fired several shots at Zbeidat, who, despite being hit, attempted to pursue them and throw objects.

The incident follows a series of threats and attacks against Zbeidat and his pharmacy, stemming from his refusal to pay protection money. In the month prior, over 50 bullets were fired at the business in two separate incidents, after Zbeidat received demands for approximately NIS 250,000. The previous attacks led him to temporarily close the pharmacy and declare an "open strike" due to customer fears and financial losses.

Zbeidat had previously stated his firm refusal to pay, declaring, "I will not pay protection money, in any way. I do not work, toil, and invest to give my money to people who have no right over me." He emphasized his significant investment in the pharmacy, which he opened two years prior, and urged other business owners not to yield to extortion.

Police arrived at the scene and launched an investigation, searching for the suspects. No arrests have been reported yet. Following Saturday's shooting, dozens of Sakhnin residents gathered at the pharmacy to protest the ongoing violence, threats, and the phenomenon of protection rackets plaguing the city. This protest echoes a larger wave of anger and demonstrations within the Arab community in Israel against crime and extortion, which saw a major strike and protest in Sakhnin in January.