Former Mayor Banned From City Hall After Assaulting Engineer

A court in Rishon LeZion has ordered Yitzhak Buchbaza, the 75-year-old former mayor of Or Yehuda, to stay 200 meters away from the city hall building for three months and to keep 200 meters away from two senior city employees for six months. The ruling follows a violent incident on October 5th, captured on camera, in which Buchbaza shoved the city engineer. The legal action was initiated by the engineer, Leonid Ginzeberg, and the director of the licensing department, Limor Zanzouri, who filed a request for a restraining order. They alleged that Buchbaza frequently visits city hall, often outside of public hours, and behaves aggressively towards staff, creating an intimidating atmosphere and impacting their sense of security. Attempts to reach an understanding with him have failed, and the city manager had previously issued an internal directive to deny him in-person services.

During the court hearing, Judge Dalia Estreicher found that Buchbaza physically assaulted the city engineer after an argument, requiring others to intervene. Buchbaza claimed the confrontation was over a dispute about a door, but the judge rejected this, stating that individuals seeking services at city hall cannot act as if they own the place. "Pushing a public employee and violating personal space crosses the line from a legitimate dispute to behavior that constitutes threatening harassment," the judge wrote. The judge also criticized Buchbaza's conduct in court, describing the hearing as difficult to manage due to his frequent interruptions. She emphasized that his past position as mayor should compel him to act with greater responsibility and respect towards public employees, and that his former role does not grant him special privileges.

One city employee expressed relief, stating, "This reality where city employees feel threatened by someone who used to be mayor here is inconceivable. I've encountered all sorts of behavior, but this bullying is unacceptable. I hope this court decision deters him and makes him understand this is not how one behaves. City employees are not anyone's punching bag." The court clarified that Buchbaza can still receive services via messenger or email and pursue legal channels, but disputes do not justify physical violence or creating a threatening environment for staff.