An Arab bus driver working for the “Extra” company on line 69, which runs from the Har Nof terminal in Givat Shaul to the Neve Yaakov neighborhood, claims he was attacked by several Jewish youths. The driver sustained severe facial injuries and required hospital treatment
Several of his fellow drivers, also employed by “Extra,” accompanied him as he was discharged from the hospital. They spontaneously announced that they were launching a protest strike and would refuse, until further notice, to operate bus lines passing through Neve Yaakov
This is not the first time an Arab bus driver has been assaulted in Jerusalem. Authorities have yet to offer an effective solution to this disturbing and disgraceful phenomenon
They ambushed me – the driver speaks out
According to the driver, Ahmad al-Mughrabi, the attack took place on Monday evening during a routine drive from the Har Nof terminal to Neve Yaakov. Line 69 has 37 stops and ends at the Winograd/Zuavin station. Near the end of the route, only three young men remained on the bus. According to the driver, they suddenly attacked him, hitting him hard in the head and face. He sustained severe injuries and was taken to the hospital for treatment
(Two 14-Year-Olds Vandalized Graves in Jerusalem Cemetery)
Three other drivers held an impromptu meeting and recorded a joint video statement, declaring that they would not drive through Neve Yaakov. “What happened to our brother Ahmad could happen to any of us,” one of them said. “The situation is too dangerous – we can't enter Neve Yaakov anymore.” In addition to line 69, this likely includes line 46, also operated by “Extra
A pattern of attacks in Jerusalem
Over the past year, Jerusalem has witnessed a disturbing series of violent assaults against Arab bus drivers – alarming not only the public, but also human rights organizations and law enforcement. Some of these attacks were even caught on video, revealing a troubling trend of racially motivated violence against public service workers
One of the most severe and widely reported incidents occurred on May 29, 2025, immediately following the Israeli State Cup final between Beitar Jerusalem and Hapoel Be’er Sheva, which had been broadcast on a large screen at Teddy Stadium
A bus on line 77 was transporting fans from the stadium when it reached the Chords Bridge near the city entrance. A group of fans attacked the bus, throwing stones. One stone shattered the driver’s side window, sending glass shards flying into his face and eye. Despite his injuries, the driver managed to continue driving and reported the attack to police. He was later treated at the hospital for cuts and bruises
(East Jerusalem Watches Gaza: Al-Wad Street Feels the Strain)
Another shocking incident occurred in October 2024 in the Har Nof neighborhood. A group of young men, one reportedly a minor, violently assaulted an Arab driver during a ride, punching him in the face. The attack was captured by the bus security camera and went viral on social media, sparking public outrage
A further incident, in February 2025, demonstrated the explicitly racist nature of the abuse. An Arab driver stopping near the Jerusalem Central Bus Station was spat on by a group of youths who shouted slurs like “dirty Arab” and “go to Gaza.” The teens had not boarded the bus but began harassing the driver when they noticed he was Arab. He tried to ignore them and drive off, but the verbal abuse continued
