Bus Drivers in Jerusalem Face Escalating Attacks Amid Incitement
Translated & summarized from Al-Shams by baba
Arab bus drivers in Jerusalem are facing escalating stone-throwing attacks and incitement, raising fears of potential fatalities, according to union leader Murad Attoun. The "Koa La Ovdim" union has documented numerous incidents, criticizing police inaction and inadequate protection from transport companies. Attoun noted that young settlers and national-religious individuals are often the perpetrators, and the drivers are increasingly vulnerable due to protests and insufficient security.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Arab bus drivers in Jerusalem are facing escalating stone-throwing attacks and incitement, with fears of potential fatalities.
- Union leader Murad Attoun criticized police inaction and inadequate protection from transport companies for drivers.
- Attacks are often carried out by youths aged 14-20, identified as settlers or national-religious individuals.
- Jerusalem's security unit is insufficient, with only six guards covering the entire city.
- Ongoing protests in Jerusalem are increasing the vulnerability of bus drivers.
Murad Attoun, head of the "Koa La Ovdim" workers' union, expressed grave concerns over the ongoing attacks against Arab bus drivers in Jerusalem, warning of potential fatalities. He stated that incidents of stone-throwing and direct assaults on drivers have become frequent, with insufficient protective measures in place for those simply trying to earn a living. Attoun highlighted that the union has documented numerous new attacks, including projectiles aimed directly at drivers.
Attoun criticized what he described as persistent incitement against Arabs, pointing to media outlets, including Channel 14, as contributing to this hostile environment. He believes this incitement is exploited during election campaigns to garner votes, making Arab drivers a target of this rhetoric. The union leader also voiced dissatisfaction with the police's perceived leniency and lack of accountability in apprehending perpetrators, suggesting this inaction emboldens further attacks.
The majority of assailants, according to Attoun, are youths aged 14 to 20, often identified as settlers or national-religious individuals. He attributed the rise in attacks to the significant number of Arab bus drivers operating in Jerusalem, coupled with the increasing presence of these youth groups in the city, leading to more friction.
Attoun also criticized transportation companies for failing to adequately protect their drivers, despite having the authority to halt routes where attacks occur. He noted that company contracts prioritize service provision over driver safety. The union is demanding enhanced protection, deeming it more urgent than wage increases.
Furthermore, Attoun pointed out the inadequacy of the security detail in Jerusalem, with only about six guards responsible for covering the entire city, particularly in known hotspots for attacks. He also expressed apprehension about the impact of ongoing protests in Jerusalem on bus drivers, who are often caught in the middle of street-level confrontations and road closures, becoming the visible face of the crisis.
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