Racism and Violence Against Arab Bus Drivers Threaten Israel's Public Transport

Commentators on Israel's Channel 14 have accused Arab bus drivers of intentionally disrupting traffic and posing a security threat, with one calling them a "ticking time bomb." However, the article argues that the most significant threat to public transportation is not the drivers' ethnicity, but the pervasive racism and violence they face. This hostility, often on nationalistic and racist grounds, deters many from using public transport, contributing to a decline in ridership to just 15% of the population, according to the Central Bureau of Statistics.

The public transport sector faces a shortage of approximately 5,000 bus drivers, with a third leaving within their first year. Many licensed drivers are reluctant to return due to long hours, inadequate breaks, lack of rest stops, and low wages. A primary reason cited for drivers quitting is daily verbal and physical violence from passengers, frequently fueled by racism. A survey by the Public Transportation Drivers Organization found that nearly half of drivers have experienced physical assault, and most do not feel safe in their profession.

In Jerusalem, where about 70% of bus drivers are Arab, the situation is particularly acute. Incidents of violence against drivers, often by Jewish youths, have surged. Bus driver Moatasem Kak lost teeth after being beaten by teenagers, and Khaled Awaisat lost consciousness after an assault. Driver Muhammad Sumira reported facing racist slurs and spitting from youths as part of a TikTok trend targeting drivers.

The response to these violent incidents is deemed insufficient. A limited police security unit in Jerusalem struggles to cope, and is nearly inactive elsewhere. Furthermore, according to "Koach LaOvdim" (Power to the Workers), 94% of cases against assailants are closed. This violence exacerbates the driver shortage, leading to service cancellations and forcing operators to hire inadequately trained drivers, further degrading service quality.

The article criticizes the silence of Transportation Minister Miri Regev, who has not condemned the incitement against Arab drivers, despite her stated policy of zero tolerance for attackers. The government has also failed to recognize drivers as public employees, increase their wages, or improve police and prosecution handling of assault cases. The author suggests Regev benefits from the rhetoric on Channel 14, which deflects criticism of public transport failures onto the drivers, rather than addressing systemic issues. The piece concludes by calling for candidates to condemn the incitement and ensure driver safety, urging Regev to act before lives are endangered.