Israeli Teen Tragically Killed During a Protest by Arab Bus Driver in Ramming Incident

During a protest held last night in Jerusalem against the conscription of Haredi men into the Israel Defense Forces, a bus struck several demonstrators, killing 14-year-old Yosef Eisensthal. Three additional pedestrians were injured, two of them aged 14 and 17. Magen David Adom (MDA) medical teams evacuated the wounded to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem and the bus driver was arrested.

According to initial reports, the fatal incident began on Yirmiyahu Street, where protesters blocked the bus. The driver began moving forward, while two teenagers reportedly clung to the bus as it continued to drive.  One of them was Eisensthal, who was caught under the bus and killed, while the other was injured. The bus traveled an estimated 400–500 meters before it stopped.

In their first statement, police said that in a preliminary questioning of the driver he claimed to have been attacked by the protesters before the tragic incident occurred. One protester who witnessed the events said the driver initially tried to inch forward but was blocked by demonstrators; he then accelerated to get away, striking several people.

The driver involved in the ramming has been identified as Fakhri Khatib, 49, a resident of eastern Jerusalem. At this stage, he is under arrest on suspicion of murder, a lesser charge under Israeli law than murder under aggravated circumstances which he was first charged with. His detention was extended by nine days.

A Terrible Scene

MDA emergency medic Eli Eisenbach described the aftermath: “When we arrived at the scene, we saw a very difficult sight—there was great chaos, and a young casualty, who seemed around 18 years old, was trapped beneath the bus. During rescue efforts, we performed medical examinations and determined that he had no pulse, was not breathing, and was suffering from severe, multi-system trauma. Regrettably, we had to pronounce his death at the scene.”

“Your Soul Will Be With Us”

Hundreds accompanied Yosef on his final journey. The funeral procession departed from his yeshiva in Jerusalem. Before the procession set out for the cemetery, family members and mourners delivered eulogies.

Yosef’s father spoke through his tears: “Everyone loved you so much, it was so comfortable to be in your presence. How we waited for you every Shabbat, for Yossi to be home. Your body will no longer be here, but your soul will be with us – day by day, hour by hour.”

He continued in a deeply emotional appeal: “Yossi, our Yossi. You are ascending now before the Throne of Glory; you are closer than anyone can be. Be an advocate for me before Heaven. May God give me the strength to endure this trial and to emerge from it strengthened. Pray for your mother – how much she invested in you, from the day you were born, materially and spiritually. From the day you were born, I believe there was hardly a single day she did not pray for you. Be an advocate for her as well, that the Holy One, blessed be He, will give her the strength to withstand this trial.”

“The Circumstances Will Be Fully Investigated”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the tragedy: “I feel profound pain over the loss of the life of the dear yeshiva student, Yosef Eisensthal, of blessed memory, who was run over and killed yesterday during a demonstration in Jerusalem. The circumstances of this tragic disaster will be thoroughly investigated in order to draw all necessary conclusions and lessons. I extend my deepest condolences to the Eisensthal family. At the same time, I call on everyone to prevent the escalation of emotions, so that we do not, God forbid, experience further tragedies. The sanctity of life is deeply inscribed in our heritage, and we must safeguard it with the utmost care.”

Netanyahu concluded by quoting Scripture: “He will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces.” (Isaiah 25:8)