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Israeli police have arrested two men suspected of assaulting an Arab bus driver near the West Bank settlement of Modi’in Illit, authorities announced on Tuesday. The attack, which occurred on November 11, adds to a growing pattern of violent incidents targeting bus drivers across the country.
According to police, the two suspects broke into the bus while the driver was working his scheduled route and began beating him as he sat in his seat.
The victim was transported to a nearby hospital where he received treatment for his injuries. Both suspects were apprehended shortly after the assault and remained in custody until Monday, when a court ordered their release to house arrest under strict conditions.
Footage filmed by a bystander played a crucial role in identifying the attackers, police said. The video, later circulated on social media, shows two men near the front of the bus taking turns punching the driver as he tries to shield himself. Investigators issued an arrest warrant shortly after the video surfaced, leading to the suspects’ swift detention.
Hebrew media reported that the bus belonged to Kavim, a major Israeli transportation company operating in central Israel and several West Bank settlements. The incident is part of an alarming increase in violence directed at bus drivers, particularly Arab drivers, who make up a significant share of the public transit workforce.
Earlier this month alone, 12 assaults on Arab bus drivers were recorded in Jerusalem over the course of a single week. Transit unions have long warned that violent incidents—ranging from verbal harassment to physical attacks—pose a threat not only to drivers but also to passengers who depend on the integrity and safety of public transport services.
The surge in attacks has intensified pressure on the government to adopt stronger protective measures. In response, the Transportation Ministry recently issued a tender to establish a new rapid-response security unit dedicated to bus-related incidents.
Under the pilot program, security guards on motorcycles will be stationed across seven cities, including Jerusalem, Haifa, Beersheba, Beit Shemesh, Modi’in Illit, Beitar Illit and Rahat.
The violence comes at a time when Israel is already facing a severe shortage of bus drivers—a deficit of around 5,000 workers, according to industry figures. Unions attribute the shortage to multiple factors, including stagnant wages, long working hours and fears of workplace violence.
A report by Ynet noted that while roughly 60,000 Israelis hold bus-driving licenses, many opt for different careers due to the profession’s growing risks and insufficient compensation.
Police confirmed that the investigation into the Modi’in Illit assault remains ongoing. Authorities have pledged to continue addressing the uptick in attacks, but transit officials warn that without substantial improvements in working conditions and safety measures, Israel’s public transportation system may continue to struggle.
The injured driver, whose identity has not been released, is expected to recover physically. However, advocates say the wider issue of driver safety requires urgent and sustained action.