IDF Soldier Draws Weapon and Threatens Ultra-Orthodox Man on Road Near Safed

An ultra-Orthodox civilian from Safed reported a disturbing incident last week on Highway 90 near Rosh Pina, where an IDF reservist officer allegedly pulled over beside him, ordered him to stop, and then drew a loaded weapon, threatening to shoot him. The civilian told 103FM radio that after stopping at a traffic light, he exited his vehicle to ask why the soldier was signaling him to stop. The soldier reportedly remained in his car, pointing the weapon at him and saying, "Get out of here, move, I will shoot you." Initially thinking it was a joke, the man quickly returned to his car upon realizing the threat was serious.

He later reviewed his dashcam footage and returned to the scene, but by then the soldier no longer had the weapon. The civilian then went to the Rosh Pina police station, where he experienced a panic attack and was nearly hospitalized. He filed complaints with both the police and the Military Police Investigations Unit, hoping for a thorough investigation. During the confrontation, the soldier allegedly called him a "deserter," which confused the civilian as he had completed his military service.

The man expressed that given the current tense public atmosphere in Israel, he felt compelled to report the incident, stating, "If it weren't for the current situation in the country, maybe I would have just lowered my head and gone home. But I felt our blood was cheapened. You walk down the street and someone points a gun at you. It shakes me deeply." The IDF and police have not yet responded to the allegations. The account is based solely on the civilian's version, and the circumstances are under investigation following his complaints.