Stabbing Attack In Jerusalem, One Moderately Injured, Terrorist Neutralized By Ynet Reporter

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — A terrorist stabbed the driver of a Jerusalem bus as it was going down a steep hill in the Ramot district of Jerusalem at around 5 PM. Fortunately the driver succeeded in braking the bus despite his injuries and a passerby stopped and neutralized the terrorist.

The terrorist, a Palestinian from Ramallah who had a business permit to be in Israel, was travelling on the 137 bus from Givat Zeev to Jerusalem when he suddenly walked up to the driver when he was near the Ramot mall and stabbed him three times in the chest with a screwdriver, causing him moderate injuries. The other passengers fled the bus after the 41-year-old driver succeeded in opening the doors.

Ynet photographer Meshi Ben Ami, who shot and neutralized the terrorist, described his harrowing experience:

Meshi Ben-Ami

“I was driving from the Ramot neighborhood toward downtown when I spotted a man lying on top of another and stabbing him,” said the photographer.

“I realized this was a stabbing attack. I was a little hesitant at first, but when I saw people running, I had to act. I pulled out my weapon and started running in his direction. He got off the victim and I saw someone throwing a rock at him.

“Then he approached me, holding the same object he used to stab the victim. It was a screwdriver. He approached me, and I ordered him to halt. He didn’t stop and stood feet from me. I felt threatened, I felt my life was in danger, and then I shot one bullet at him and he crumpled to the floor. Security forces arrived seconds after I shot the terrorist.”

This isn’t the first time Ben Ami has come face to face with a Palestinian terrorist, having thwarted a similar attack in Jerusalem six years ago.

The attacker shot by Ben Ami was identified as 44-year-old Ismail Nimer — a Palestinian from the West Bank city of Ramallah. He is in moderate to serious condition and has been hospitalized at the Shaarei Tzedek hospital.

Prime Minister Yair Lapid praised Ben Ami for “acting resolutely to neutralize the terrorist and preventing harm to more people. We will not allow terror to raise its head and harm the routine of our lives. We will account for any person who tries to harm innocent civilians.”

Transportation Minister and Labor party head Merav Michaeli also congratulated “the heroic and brave Ynet photographer who did so for the second time.”

זאב סופר, חובש איחוד הצלה, סיפר: “הגעתי עם האוטו מכיוון העיר וראיתי משהו לא ברור. ראיתי אוטובוס ומישהו שוכב על המדרכה בצד ימין. עצרתי כחלק מהאינסטינקט שלי לעזור, שמעתי מישהו צועק ‘פיגוע’ ו’מחבל’. ראיתי אזרח עם אקדח והוא אמר לי שהמחבל מנוטרל. הנוסעים ברחו מהאוטובוס”.

כאמור, נהג אוטובוס בן 41 נפצע בפיגוע דקירה בקו 137 של אגד בשדרות גולדה מאיר באזור צומת רמות בירושלים. הפצוע פונה לבית החולים שערי צדק. המחבל הוא תושב רמאללה עם אישור שהייה בישראל.