Jerusalem Bus Driver Assaulted by Youths, Suffers Severe Injuries Including Four Broken Teeth

Motasem Kakak, a bus driver for Superbus in Jerusalem, was violently attacked by a group of youths while stopped at a red light at the Eshkol-Ramot intersection on the evening of August 1. The assailants struck the bus and then Kakak himself after he opened the window, causing him to lose consciousness and sustain serious facial injuries, including the loss of four teeth. Kakak described the terrifying moments, recalling feeling blood in his mouth and seeing faces full of hatred, without understanding the reason for the attack.

After regaining consciousness, Kakak managed to drive the bus to a safe location despite feeling disoriented and fearing loss of control. He was later hospitalized and continues to receive medical treatment. The incident has raised serious concerns about escalating violence against public transportation workers. It prompted a warning from Itay Cohen, head of the transportation division at Koach LaOvdim, who said that the murder of a bus driver is only a matter of time if such attacks continue unchecked.

The police have opened an investigation following Kakak’s complaint. Superbus condemned the attack strongly, emphasizing their cooperation with law enforcement to apprehend the perpetrators and their commitment to supporting the driver and his family throughout his recovery. The company also highlighted ongoing efforts to ensure the safety of drivers and passengers, noting the limited number of mounted security guards in Jerusalem as insufficient to address the violence.

This assault adds to a growing pattern of violent incidents targeting public transport employees in Israel, raising urgent calls for enhanced protective measures and law enforcement responses to prevent further tragedies.