Grandmother Charged After Allegedly Assaulting Boy, 9, at Birthday Party

A 64-year-old grandmother from Rishon Lezion faces charges after allegedly assaulting a 9-and-a-half-year-old boy at her granddaughter's birthday party in March. The incident occurred during Iran's missile attack on Israel, known as "Operation Iron Swords," but the indictment was only filed on Monday at the Rishon Lezion Magistrate's Court.

According to the indictment, the confrontation began when the grandmother, along with the children, took shelter in a safe room during an air raid siren. Inside the protected space, she reportedly told the children, "Whoever doesn't say happy birthday to [granddaughter's initial] will go home." The 9-year-old boy responded that he did not wish to congratulate her granddaughter.

The grandmother allegedly reacted by asking, "Who are you anyway?" The situation escalated, and the indictment claims she grabbed the boy's left ear, twisted it, and pushed his head against the wall with her other hand on his forehead. She then allegedly threatened him, "If you speak to me like that one more time, I'll hit you."

As a result of her actions, the boy fell to the floor and replied, "You won't hit me." The indictment states the assault continued, with the grandmother allegedly grabbing and squeezing his left ear again, and pushing his head against the wall twice more. The boy sustained bruises to his cheek and left ear. The grandmother is charged with assault and threats.