Residents Demand Action After Child Killed by Bus in Modiin Illit Amid Traffic Safety Concerns

A tragic accident in Modiin Illit on the fast of the 17th of Tammuz has left the community in shock after eight-year-old Moshe Glinski was fatally struck by a bus near a pedestrian crossing in the Brachfeld neighborhood. The incident occurred around noon when a "Kavim" company bus hit the child, reportedly due to limited visibility. Emergency responders pronounced the boy dead shortly after arrival. Moshe was the son of a respected and devout community member, intensifying the grief felt citywide.

Local journalist and resident Menachem Kolodetzky expressed deep anger over the reckless driving habits he attributes mainly to minority drivers operating public transportation in the city. He described drivers as dominating both lanes, speeding, and forcing private vehicles onto sidewalks to avoid collisions, creating a fearful environment for residents, especially children. Kolodetzky also criticized the absence of "golden guards" or dedicated safety patrols to protect pedestrians, calling it a serious safety failure.

The discussion highlighted a longstanding issue regarding the lack of Haredi drivers in the city's public transport sector. Kolodetzky noted that social stigma and matchmaking concerns discourage community members from pursuing driving careers, despite the profession offering salaries up to 13,000-14,000 shekels. This gap has left the sector reliant on Arab drivers, some accused of dangerous driving and strikes that disrupt city transport.

Kolodetzky issued a direct appeal to Mayor Yaakov Guterman and the city's spiritual leaders, who appointed him, to take immediate responsibility for improving child safety and traffic conditions. He urged them to engage with the community, address residents' demands, and implement safety measures. He emphasized that road safety education, sometimes dismissed as secular, aligns with core religious values, quoting the biblical injunction "and you shall guard your souls" as the most authentic Haredi principle.

Authorities and the bus company have yet to release a full investigation report on the accident. The community hopes this devastating event will serve as a final wake-up call for city officials to prioritize traffic safety and prevent further tragedies.