Another large demonstration ends in tragedy: Thousands of Haredim participated this evening (Tuesday) in a protest rally against the recruitment of yeshiva students on Bar Ilan Street in Jerusalem.
During the demonstration, a bus driver from line 64 to the Ramot neighborhood of the 'Extra' company, who he said was attacked by protesters, began driving wildly and ran over a group of several protesters on two different streets. The young man, Joseph Eisenthal, late, A 14-year-old boy, a resident of the Ramot neighborhood, was trapped under the wheels of the bus and died on the spot.
Three others, ages 14 and 17, were slightly injured and treated by rescue forces.
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The ramming incident occurred at the Shamgar intersection, where there was a disturbance by young people who burned trash cans, blocked roads and clashed with drivers - and not in the area of the large demonstration that was coordinated with the police.
Yaakov Zimberg, An eyewitness told News 12: "The bus arrived, the guys blocked it. He called for help, he had an Arab voice. They touched his windshield, blocked him and hit him on the windshield. He decided out of nowhere to press the gas pedal.".
Moshe Ben Tovim A person who was present at the event said: "Another guy hung onto the bus and fell, he is in good condition. The same driver continued at the same speed and someone else got between his tires and the end is known. This is not an accident, this is a terrorist attack for all intents and purposes. It was a great miracle that nothing more than that happened.".
Another angle of the bus that ran over Jerusalem (Photo: Mini Max security cameras) pic.twitter.com/baQm8ej8yE
— Moshe Weisberg (@moshe_nayes) January 6, 2026
Documentation: The boy who was hung from the front of the bus was saved. Photo: Mini Max Security Cameras
Shai, who was present at the event, said that he helped the police stop the driver: "I rode the scooter and blocked it. After ten seconds, the police were already inside the bus and tried. We fought with the driver and he gave up on us.".
Another eyewitness said: "They spat on the driver, he had no way to get out and he got in all the Haredim and ran them over. I flew to the side, there were three more under the bus. There was another street, he ran over three more people there and now there's a child run over there.".
fromHadassah Medical Center It was reported that a 14-year-old boy who was injured in the incidents in Yermayahu/Shamgar is being treated at the Emergency Medicine Department at Hadassah Mount Scopus. His condition is mild and he is fully conscious.
A 16-year-old boy who was injured in the events is being treated at the trauma unit at Hadassah Ein Kerem. His condition is stable, he is undergoing imaging tests and is fully conscious.
Firefighters worked for an hour to extract the body of the deceased from under the bus, using specialized rescue tools.
Reshef Aviram Cohen, The shift commander said after the rescue: "This is a complex and sensitive incident. The firefighters worked quickly to rescue the boy who was trapped under the bus. Unfortunately, at the end of the rescue operations, he was pronounced dead at the scene.""
An initial investigation indicates that the bus first hit the three young men, who were slightly injured, on Shamgar Street, then continued driving at high speed and ran over the young man to death on Ohel Yehoshua Street.
Documenting a serious car crash: This is how the ultra-Orthodox child was killed pic.twitter.com/e41n65O8tU
— Yoeli Brim yoeli brim (@yoeli_brim) January 6, 2026
Documentation of the runover. Photo: Courtesy of the photographer
The police who were called to the scene arrested the bus driver who hit the protesters and claimed that this was not a terrorist attack. The bus driver claimed To the police: "They climbed on my bus and I tried to escape.".
Numerous police forces arrived at the scene and began investigating the circumstances of the incident.
ZAKA volunteers handle the honor of the deceased and the collection of findings at the scene.
Benzi Oering, ZAKA commander Jerusalem District: "This is a tragic and difficult event. When I arrived at the scene, I saw a lot of commotion. Firefighters were working to extract the body of a young man who was trapped under the bus. Unfortunately, the boy was rescued with severe multi-systemic injuries, without life support. His death was confirmed at the scene. ZAKA volunteers from the Jerusalem District team are taking care of the dignity of the deceased and collecting the findings at the difficult scene.""
'Extra' company' She said in response: "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 that is required.".
Minute by minute: Protesters crowd the bus and the driver breaks into a wild ride. Photo: Yehuda Aharoni, Channel 14
fromMinistry of Transportation and the National Public Transportation Authority It was reported: "The head of the Public Transportation Authority is in contact with the authorities in the Israel Police as well as with the public transportation operator. The head of the authority has instructed the company to cooperate fully with the police. The owner and CEO of the public transportation operator have been summoned for a hearing.".
""The Ministry of Transportation and the Public Transportation Authority strongly condemn the incident of the runover. Public transportation drivers are obligated to drive responsibly according to the law and to fully protect human life and road users. The ministry views any deviation from these rules with great seriousness and will work to clarify the incident with the authorized authorities.".
""Violence of any kind towards citizens, protesters or road users is unacceptable and will be dealt with with the utmost severity.".
Bus runs over ultra-Orthodox protester in Jerusalem pic.twitter.com/YjMkvfJ8Rd
— Daniel Grovais (@daniel_grovais) January 6, 2026
Documentation of the runover. Photo: Meyer
The police said: ""According to an initial investigation, this was an intersection that was open to vehicle traffic and not in an area where a police blockade was initiated. Instead, the bus was blocked by rioters who rioted, blocking the road and posing a real risk to road users.".
""An initial investigation of the driver revealed that he was attacked by rioters, and then the unfortunate incident occurred. The bus driver was arrested by the police and taken for questioning to examine the circumstances of the incident.".
Earlier, the police issued another statement: "Starting this evening, a protest rally is taking place on Bar Ilan and Zephaniah Streets in Jerusalem and nearby streets. Police forces, Border Guard soldiers and additional forces were deployed at the site in order to allow freedom of protest, while maintaining the security and safety of the public, participants and road users.".
Rescue of the trapped person under the bus. Photo: Jerusalem District Fire Department
""In parallel with the rally that took place, in the last hour a handful of troublemakers began to violently disrupt public order, including by blocking traffic routes, causing damage to buses, burning bins, throwing objects and eggs at police and Border Guard soldiers, shouting insults, and attacking journalists who were working at the scene.".
""Meanwhile, a bus that passed by, apparently during a disturbance, hit several participants and as a result, there are several injured people at the scene, and the case is under investigation. The bus driver was arrested and taken to the police station for further investigation.".
""In addition, a team of journalists present at the scene was hit by a stone and was taken for treatment.".
""Due to the violent disturbance, a police officer shouted and ordered the rioters to disperse. When the calls were not answered and the disturbances continued, the police began operations to repel the rioters and restore public order, using force and means.".
Documentation from the demonstration. Photo: Police spokeswoman
'Yehudit' organization' Commented on the bus crash: "The speed with which the police announced that it was not a terrorist attack indicates that the matter was not investigated at all. A serious incident in which an Arab driver speeds towards ultra-Orthodox protesters, runs them over to death and continues his wild rampage in several areas, while there are people trapped under the bus, paints a clear picture of the driver's distinct nationalist motives.".
""We call on the police, the Minister of National Security, and all parties to involve the Shin Bet and work to investigate the truth. Any cover-up or denial of the nationalist motive, certainly at such an early stage, deserves all condemnation.".
fromSpokespersons of the rally It was reported: "This evening, an officially regulated protest rally was held against the conscription law, during which several blockades were carried out by police forces several blocks away from the event.
The rescue scene. Photo: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90
""The rally was held according to an organized plan, and Jewish dignitaries from all circles and denominations spoke there, who cried out against the terrible conscription law that is shamelessly being promoted by ultra-Orthodox Knesset members.
""There were no clashes or riots at the rally - as befits an event with the participation of the Marnan and Rabban. Unfortunately, a terrible disaster occurred this evening at one of the police blockade areas - more than a kilometer away from the rally. Our hearts bleed for the terrible disaster and our prayer is that we will not know any more robbery and vandalism on our border."
""Immediately after the horrific event, the rally dispersed peacefully and orderly. We will continue and not let up in our just and forceful protest against the terrible conscription law.".
