Yaron Dekel, a radio host for Israel Radio’s Reshet Bet dug into the attic looking for more horror stories on board a mehadrin line. He spoke with Oriya Eliya, who back in 2007 was a resident of Ramat Beit Shemesh, serving in Sheirut Leumi. Her incident occurred when she boarded the mehadrin 497 bus, heading to Bnei Brak.

She explained that at the time, she was unaware of the seating arrangement on the bus and shortly after taking a seat; she was bombarded with verbal assaults, then spat upon and assaulted as well. She shouted at the driver, who she insists did nothing other than to open the rear door, permitting the attackers to flee.

Oriya filed a complaint with police, and an investigation took place, explaining she was told by police “they are like the Chinese. You cannot tell them apart”. Ultimately, she was led to understand the case was closed for lack of evidence. She adds she contemplated action against Egged, but they persuaded her to permit them to admonish and fine the driver, and paid her 500 NIS, the sum of the fine, and she accepted this, explaining she lacked papers from police to pursue legal action.

She has since gotten married and no longer lives in that area. She is about to complete law school and she was keen on pointing out that she will be a lawyer before the statue of limitations on the case runs out, and her first order of business as a lawyer will be to file suits against Egged and others in the case.

In response to the interview, Jerusalem police report the case is still open, albeit inactive, but any information towards identifying the attacker(s) will be investigated.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)