Drug Den in Petah Tikva Apartment Sparks Daily Violence and Fear Among Residents
A residential building in Petah Tikva has been turned into a drug den over the past six years, causing severe health hazards and daily threats to the residents. The building suffers from unsanitary conditions such as human waste in the elevator, blood stains on glass, and dozens of drug addicts sleeping in the stairwell. Residents face ongoing violence and intimidation, including physical assaults, death threats, and attempts to prevent them from using the main entrance.
Resident Ella Gutman described the terrifying situation during a tense confrontation caught on video, holding a pepper spray gun for self-defense. She recounted being attacked with a knife, metal skewer, and broomstick, saying, "I really feared for my life, I saw death up close." Another resident, Ofek Salomon, highlighted the escalation of violence, noting that his partner was twice nearly run over. He added that before the video was recorded, threats of murder were made against them, and the only recourse was to reach out to the media.
The residents express deep frustration with the authorities' inaction. Police reportedly told them they cannot defend themselves until actually harmed, treating the situation as a neighbor dispute and closing investigations due to insufficient evidence. Meanwhile, the intruders have been granted public housing rights by the Ministry of Housing, which Gutman criticized as unfair compared to the law-abiding residents. Salomon, a reserve soldier, contrasted his service in conflict zones with the lack of support they receive while the intruders live rent-free.
The Israel Police responded that the matter is a known neighbor dispute with complaints investigated and closed, but new evidence could reopen cases. Petah Tikva Municipality stated that the apartment is public housing managed by Amidar, which is working on eviction procedures, with the mayor facilitating coordination with police and Amidar representatives. The Ministry of Construction and Housing confirmed the case is under professional review and declined to comment publicly due to privacy concerns.
