Cinema Usher in Rehovot Severely Assaulted After Confronting Teens Over Smoking and Noise

A young usher in his early 20s working at the Hot Cinema in Rehovot was violently attacked by a group of approximately six teenagers on Saturday night after he asked them to stop smoking electronic cigarettes and making noise during a film screening. The incident occurred after other moviegoers complained about the disruptive behavior. When the usher requested the teens to leave the auditorium, they assaulted him, causing severe injuries including a broken nose and multiple bruises.

An eyewitness described how the group cursed the usher and then physically beat him until his face was covered in blood and his body was bruised. Despite the attack and the arrival of police and emergency medical services, the film screening continued as usual. The eyewitness criticized the security arrangements, noting that the cinema shares security with the mall, causing delays in response time and raising concerns about potential weapons being involved.

The usher was hospitalized overnight with a broken nose, cuts on his lip and nose, and a black eye. His mother reported that while his physical condition is improving, his mental state is poor, and he is afraid to leave the house due to fears of retaliation. The attackers fled the scene immediately after the assault.

The cinema's operations manager handed over security footage to the police, who opened an expedited investigation to identify and prosecute those responsible. The Israel Police emphasized their serious approach to violence and swift response to the incident. Hot Cinema condemned the attack, reaffirming zero tolerance for violence or misconduct, and called on the public and parents to promote respectful behavior to ensure a safe and enjoyable cinema experience. A formal complaint has been filed with the police.