"A Frightening Encounter on the Road"
A Palestinian taxi driver recounted his harrowing experience of being attacked by a group of right-wing protesters in Jerusalem's Old City yesterday. The 35-year-old driver, who wishes to remain anonymous, described how he was suddenly surrounded by a mob of angry youths, some of whom hurled stones and bottles at his vehicle.
"I was just driving my taxi through the narrow streets when I heard them shouting and kicking on the ground," he said, still visibly shaken. "I didn't think much of it at first, but then they started throwing rocks and bottles at me. The next thing I knew, my windshield was shattered and my car was surrounded."
The driver claimed that the attackers were shouting anti-Palestinian slogans and seemed to be targeting him specifically due to his nationality. He reported that the incident lasted for around 10 minutes before police arrived on the scene.
"I was terrified," he said, reenacting the events in a trembling voice. "I just wanted them to leave me alone. I didn't want any trouble."
The driver's account is part of a growing trend of attacks against Palestinians and their vehicles by far-right groups in Jerusalem. In recent months, there have been numerous incidents of vandalism, physical assaults, and verbal abuse against Palestinian civilians.
"This kind of violence is unacceptable and must be condemned by everyone," said a spokesperson for the Israeli government. "We will do everything in our power to prevent such incidents and ensure public safety."
However, human rights groups argue that the Israeli government has failed to take adequate measures to protect Palestinians from right-wing extremism.
"Policing this kind of hate crime requires more than just token gestures," said Sarah Levinson, a human rights activist. "We need concrete actions and policies to address the root causes of racism and xenophobia in Israel."
The driver's incident is just one example of the escalating tensions between Palestinian and Israeli communities in Jerusalem. As the situation continues to deteriorate, many fear for their safety and well-being.
"It's getting harder and harder to feel safe on the road," the driver said, his voice laced with frustration and anger. "I just want to be able to drive my taxi without being targeted or attacked."
A Palestinian taxi driver recounted his harrowing experience of being attacked by a group of right-wing protesters in Jerusalem's Old City yesterday. The 35-year-old driver, who wishes to remain anonymous, described how he was suddenly surrounded by a mob of angry youths, some of whom hurled stones and bottles at his vehicle.
"I was just driving my taxi through the narrow streets when I heard them shouting and kicking on the ground," he said, still visibly shaken. "I didn't think much of it at first, but then they started throwing rocks and bottles at me. The next thing I knew, my windshield was shattered and my car was surrounded."
The driver claimed that the attackers were shouting anti-Palestinian slogans and seemed to be targeting him specifically due to his nationality. He reported that the incident lasted for around 10 minutes before police arrived on the scene.
"I was terrified," he said, reenacting the events in a trembling voice. "I just wanted them to leave me alone. I didn't want any trouble."
The driver's account is part of a growing trend of attacks against Palestinians and their vehicles by far-right groups in Jerusalem. In recent months, there have been numerous incidents of vandalism, physical assaults, and verbal abuse against Palestinian civilians.
"This kind of violence is unacceptable and must be condemned by everyone," said a spokesperson for the Israeli government. "We will do everything in our power to prevent such incidents and ensure public safety."
However, human rights groups argue that the Israeli government has failed to take adequate measures to protect Palestinians from right-wing extremism.
"Policing this kind of hate crime requires more than just token gestures," said Sarah Levinson, a human rights activist. "We need concrete actions and policies to address the root causes of racism and xenophobia in Israel."
The driver's incident is just one example of the escalating tensions between Palestinian and Israeli communities in Jerusalem. As the situation continues to deteriorate, many fear for their safety and well-being.
"It's getting harder and harder to feel safe on the road," the driver said, his voice laced with frustration and anger. "I just want to be able to drive my taxi without being targeted or attacked."