Tel-Chai Nation

A writer to the Jerusalem Post says that harrassment of women on public buses in Beit Shemesh is a lot more common than previously thought:

Regarding “Haredi extremists in Beit Shemesh smash bus windows, throw stones” (August 1), last Thursday, our 19-year-old daughter finished her year of National Service in Pardes Katz. It was the last time she had to ride the 497 bus to and from Bnei Brak.

Without fail, every ride for the entire year meant enduring verbal harassment from haredi men and sometimes women for her refusal to sit at the back of the bus.

The bus drivers varied in their response. Some demanded that the perpetrators stop or leave the bus, while others ignored the problem. On one occasion she filed a complaint with the police.

Make no mistake: Harassment against women on public buses in Beit Shemesh is a daily occurrence, and a problem that we are suffering alone.

Any bus driver who goes the Kitty Genovese route and vehemently refuses to demand silence from the hooligan passengers or call the police should have charges filed against him and be arrested. This is just what Egged has spectacularly failed to take any action to crack down on, which could be done by having a special security official ride the buses where needed, and by installing security cameras. The company deserves to be sued and charged for negligence.

Labels: haredi corruption, Israel, military, misogyny, Moonbattery