Yaakov Yosef Zeibert, a resident of Ashdod, is the Gerrer chossid who was assaulted in an apparent hate attack on Friday night. Upon his release from the hospital on Sunday, he spoke with Arutz-7, describing the attack.

Zeibert:

I was walking and I saw three Ethiopians. One of them said to me, ‘you, come over here, come to us. In the media they speak of discrimination.What do you have to say about this?’

I told them I am not racist and do not discriminate against anyone. Have a good Shabbos and continued on my way. Nevertheless, one of the Ethiopians remained at my side and told me not to walk away. Suddenly, I felt a strong pulling from behind and then he landed his fist right in my eye. My eyeglasses shattered, with shards entering my eye. I was bleeding heavily and then he punched me in my face. I became disoriented.

I ran home and told my father what had occurred and that I need medical assistance. He took me to the home of an EMT who lives nearby. There I received preliminary care. At the hospital, they did a CT scan and I required16 sutures above the injured eye as well as treatment for facial injuries.

It is difficult for me to think that we cannot walk around the area freely. The Ethiopian was very clear during the attack, all because of the media. I realize we must calm things down so we can continue with our lives.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)