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 on the evening of August 1, 2026, while stopped at a red light at the Eshkol-Ramot junction. The assailants began hitting the bus, and when Kakak opened the window, he was struck repeatedly, causing him to lose consciousness and suffer serious facial injuries, including the loss of four teeth. He 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 then taken for medical treatment, where doctors removed four teeth and nearly extracted four more. Kakak reported ongoing threats and insults from the attackers even after the assault. He filed a police complaint, prompting an investigation into the incident.

The labor organization Koach LaOvdim warned that violence against public transportation workers is escalating, stating that "the murder of a bus driver is only a matter of time." It praised the efforts of the mounted security unit in Jerusalem but criticized the limited number of security personnel available to address such violence. Superbus condemned the attack, expressed full cooperation with law enforcement, and committed to supporting Kakak and ensuring the safety of its drivers and passengers.

This incident highlights growing concerns over safety for public transport workers in Jerusalem and the urgent need for enhanced protective measures.