Arab Bus Driver Attacked in Afula with Racist Slurs

A bus driver in Afula was subjected to a physical and verbal assault, including racist threats, by a passenger who targeted him for being Arab. The incident, which occurred on a "Super Bus" route, began when the passenger became agitated about his stop. According to driver Mohammed Harish, the attacker noticed the driver speaking Hebrew with an Arabic accent and began hurling insults, including "You are Arab" and "You must die." The attacker then physically assaulted the driver and damaged the front of the bus before fleeing through a window. Police arrived about ten minutes later and arrested a suspect, though Harish expressed concern he would be released quickly.

Harish stated that this was not an isolated incident, noting a perceived increase in racist attacks and insults against Arab bus drivers since October 7. He reported that some drivers face daily verbal abuse and incitement, while others avoid confrontation for fear of escalation. The attacks are not limited to drivers; Harish cited an incident days earlier where a girl was insulted for speaking Arabic on a bus. While a workers' committee is assisting affected drivers, Harish believes more deterrent measures are needed.

The assaulted driver was psychologically affected but wished to return to work, with the committee encouraging him to do so to avoid further distress. Harish criticized what he described as leniency in dealing with attacks on Arab drivers, citing cases closed due to insufficient evidence despite video recordings. He recalled a previous incident where a driver received only about 1500 shekels in compensation for a broken nose. Harish called for a more serious approach to such assaults, demanding deterrent punishments for attackers and urging the Ministry of Transportation and operating companies to ensure driver safety. He emphasized that drivers serving the public should not face attacks alone and called for a fundamental solution to prevent recurrence.