Elderly Man Severely Attacked Over Controversial Sign on Highway 1 Bridge

A violent incident occurred recently on the Hemed Interchange bridge over Highway 1 in Israel, involving 76-year-old Ilan Menas. Menas was hospitalized at Hadassah Ein Kerem Medical Center in serious condition after suffering a concussion and active brain hemorrhage. The attack happened when Menas attempted to remove a protest sign calling for the release of Yigal Amir, the assassin of former Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, which had been hanging on the bridge for several weeks.

According to reports and footage from the scene, Menas was physically assaulted by activists present at the site as he tried to take down the sign. He was thrown to the ground and sustained severe head and upper body injuries. Despite the severity of the attack, Menas did not immediately seek medical care and continued his daily routine. However, days later, he began experiencing alarming neurological symptoms, including loss of function in his left hand.

His condition worsened over the weekend, prompting his family to rush him to the emergency room at Hadassah Ein Kerem. A CT scan revealed a severe concussion and active intracranial bleeding directly linked to the assault. Menas is currently under close medical supervision in the neurosurgery department and is expected to undergo a complex surgical procedure to drain the hemorrhage and prevent permanent brain damage.

Law enforcement and judicial authorities are reviewing the evidence and footage from the incident to pursue legal action against the attackers. Menas’s case has stirred public attention due to the violent nature of the assault and the politically charged context surrounding the sign.