The driver of the Afikim company, whose car was set on fire last night in riots in Bnei Brak, said of his feelings: "I went through a not easy trauma, I do not know why this is happening within our people."
Eyal Tzipori, a bus driver of the Afikim company whose car was set on fire last night in Bnei Brak, told today (Monday) about the difficult experience he went through.
"I went through a difficult trauma and I have no desire to serve the passengers in Bnei Brak. It is an attack for everything, like a nationalist attack. I was in complete shock. I do not know why this is happening within our people."
Riots in Bnei Brak: Bus set on fire, driver attacked // Photo: David Keshet
Shai Malka, VP and spokesman for Afikim, said that the company was shocked by last night's incident in Bnei Brak, during which the company's driver was attacked only because he "dared" to follow the line in the city's neighborhoods, igniting the bus altogether and the growing escalation of violence against bus drivers during this complex period. .
In light of this, Afikim will conduct a situation assessment tomorrow, and will consider together with the Ministry of Transportation to stop the public transportation services in Bnei Brak, as well as for other areas where violent incidents against drivers and property will occur.
The bus itself was set on fire last night by rioters and caused a major fire at the site.
Electrical wires caught fire and the intense heat caused damage to the windows of nearby buildings.
Citizens on the street complained that firefighters did not arrive at the scene on time but only about half an hour later.
Police evacuated the rioters from the scene of the incident.
It should be noted that this is not the only bus that was attacked last night.
As you may recall, heavy clashes took place last night in Bnei Brak, during which demonstrators burned cans and planks and blocked main roads for vehicular traffic.
Many police forces streamed into the city protected and with batons, and at the same time returned to using stun grenades and tried to disperse the crowd.
A bus was stoned and sofas were set on fire in the streets: the riots in Bnei Brak // Photo: Shimon Baruch, information from the Telegram area
Police said they "had to deal last night with serious disturbances, in which lawbreakers attacked civilians and caused extensive damage to property including setting fire to a bus, while attempting to harm emergency and rescue forces and endangering the entire law-abiding public."
Police forces assisted firefighters and rescuers to reach the fire stations safely.
During the operation, four suspects were arrested for questioning.
According to police, they are suspects who endangered the lives of the residents and their property.
The police are expected to request an extension of their detention in the Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court, in accordance with the findings of the investigation.
Protesters damaged the light rail in Jerusalem
A protest against police enforcement was also held in Jerusalem last night.
Police officers were called to the light rail station in the Tribes of Israel following the painting of the train windows and the laying of an obstacle on the track.
As a result, the station and the train windows were damaged, and train traffic was delayed until the barrier was cleared.
Police officers who arrived at the scene began searching for the suspects.
Demonstrators vandalize light rail in Jerusalem // Photo: A. Cohen
Citypass, which operates the light rail, reported that "the protesters poured concrete on the tracks. This is a very dangerous sabotage, which could have caused the train to deviate from the tracks and overturn with the passengers inside."
"In addition, the demonstrators caused heavy damage to the station and the train. The ticket machines were damaged. The demonstrators, who smashed the windows and stations of the stones and threw sticky paint on the carriages, endangered the frightened passengers with their actions," it was noted.
The company said it "strongly condemns the violent and vandalistic attack, and calls on the police to prosecute the rioters."
CityPass later updated that the Shivtei Yisrael station is resident until further notice in favor of repairs.
