National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir says police investigating “all possible avenues,” despite initial claims ruling out terrorist after bus driver from east Jerusalem rammed into crowd of ultra-Orthodox protesters, dragging one of them hundreds of yards.
By World Israel News Staff
An Arab bus driver from eastern Jerusalem is in police custody after he rammed into a crowd of ultra-Orthodox young men protesting the draft of yeshiva students, killing a 14-year-old boy and injuring three other teenagers.
The incident occurred in the predominantly ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Romema in Jerusalem, Tuesday at approximately 9:00 p.m. when a bus from the Extra company’s Line 64 with service to the Ramot neighborhood accelerated as it approached several protesters on Shamgar Street, ramming into three protesters.
The driver continued on to Ohel Yehoshua Street and rammed into a fourth protester.
All four of the protesters hit in the two ramming incidents were teenagers, ranging in age from 14 to 17.
One of the four teens was dragged under the bus for 500 yards before the vehicle finally stopped.
Magen David Adom and United Hatzalah emergency first responders were called to the scene to treat the injured and evacuate them to local hospitals.
A 14-year-old boy was critically injured in the ramming and later succumbed to his injuries.
The other three victims were listed in light condition.
Tens of thousands of protesters took part in the demonstration, demanding an end to efforts by the government to draft full-time yeshiva students and protesting against sanctions imposed on the families of yeshiva students who refuse to appear at draft offices following call-up letters from the army.
Police initially said Tuesday night that all possible motives are under investigation.
However, just minutes later, Channel 14 reported that authorities have ruled out terrorism, citing claims by the driver that he had been attacked by a group of protesters blocking the road.
According to the driver’s statement to police, protesters surrounded the bus and banged on its windows, causing the driver to panic.
The driver was detained for questioning, police said.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir issued a statement emphasizing that police are investigating all possible directions in the case, contradicting the Channel 14 report that terrorism had been ruled out early on.
“This is a serious incident that must be investigated thoroughly and comprehensively. The police have informed me that all investigative avenues regarding the incident are being examined, and that it is being treated with the utmost seriousness,” Ben-Gvir said.
A spokesperson for the bus company offered its condolences to the family of the teenager killed in the ramming.
“We are shocked by the incident and wish to share in the grief of the family and the community. The incident is under police investigation, and the company is cooperating fully and will provide any information required.”
President Isaac Herzog penned a statement on his X account calling the incident a “wake-up call.”
“We went through a very sad and painful evening—with the loss of the life of an ultra-Orthodox young man and with others injured, some seriously, moderately, and lightly,” Herzog wrote.
“This painful evening must be a wake-up call for all of us. This is the time to show responsibility, lower the flames, and do everything possible to prevent the next disaster.”
The 14-year-old killed in the ramming has been identified as Yosef Eisenthal, a resident of the Ramot neighborhood and student at the Ohel Torah Yeshiva, where his father, Rabbi Shmuel Eisenthal, serves as senior instructor. Yosef was the grandson of Rabbi Uriel Eisenthal, neighborhood rabbi for Ramot Gimmel.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered his condolences to Eisenthal’s family, and called for a comprehensive probe of the ramming.
“I feel deep pain over the death of the dear yeshiva student, Yosef Eisenthal, of blessed memory, who was struck and killed yesterday during a protest in Jerusalem,” Netanyahu said Wednesday morning.
“The circumstances of this tragic disaster will be fully investigated in order to learn all necessary insights and lessons. I send my deepest condolences to the Eisenthal family.”
“At the same time, I call for restraint to prevent the mood from becoming further inflamed, so that, Heaven forbid, we do not have additional tragedies. The value of the sanctity of life is engraved in our heritage, and we must safeguard it above all else.”
Arab bus driver rams into ultra-Orthodox protesters, killing teen appeared first on World Israel News.