Yehoshua Abutbul
Yehoshua AbutbulEliran Aharon

Yehoshua Abutbul, a 50-year-old Jewish man who was brutally beaten by an Arab in Jerusalem's Old City yesterday, spoke with Arutz Sheva about his ordeal.

"As I do every day, I was making my way to the Shuvu Banim Yeshiva near the Western Wall when I felt a blow on my head. I saw a strong man. He threw me to the ground and ripped off my shirt.

Abutbul had worn a bicycle helmet during the attack, which he credits with saving his life. "If I had not been wearing a helmet I would have died. I told the police that there were people who saw [the attack] - and that they should take testimony from them."

Abutbul is convinced that the beating had a nationalistic motive. "I have anxieties now. I can't sleep. I'm afraid and I'm constantly on edge. There is no possibility other than that this was a nationalistic event."

Attorney Yossi Nadav of the Honenu legal help organization, who assisted Abutbul in filing a police report, said: "After my client was attacked, he came to the police station to file a complaint. But at the police station the police tried, using various pretexts, to convince my client not to file a complaint. They even suggested that my client and the assailant shake hands and say good-bye."

"My client, who was surprised by the police's conduct, called me to the police station, and after my insistence on allowing my client to file a legal complaint, [the police] turned the tables on him and detained my client. Afterwards they interrogated him as if he was the suspect. Unfortunately, the Israeli police disregard such cases, where a Jew is attacked. Had it been a Jew who attacked an Arab. the police would have arresed him and requested his detention in court. We will act to bring this police misconduct to the relevant authorities."

"אם לא הייתי חובש קסדה הייתי מת"