Israeli Police Face 130,000 Shekel Lawsuit After Forcing Dozens of Haredi Passengers Off Bus at Night

On the night of October 19-20, 2025, dozens of mostly Haredi and religious passengers traveling on Superbus line 859 from Modi'in Illit to Tiberias were forced off their bus near Golani Junction by Israeli police. The incident began after a passenger was reported for smoking an electronic cigarette. Police arrived, spoke with the driver, and then ordered all passengers to disembark, despite most not being involved in the incident. Passengers requested to continue their journey but were instructed to take their belongings and leave the bus. One passenger was threatened with arrest after asking an officer, "Are you normal?" but was released after apologizing. The police then directed the driver to continue the route without passengers, leaving the group stranded at the bus stop late at night. The passengers had to rely on hitchhiking or another bus driver passing by to reach their destinations. Attorney Chaim Bleicher is now suing the Israel Police and two officers for 130,000 shekels, calling the event a serious and unjustified violation against innocent travelers. Bleicher stated, "We will not rest until criminal and civil accountability is achieved for those responsible for this grave incident."