Tried to protect girls who were harassed in Sderot – and almost paid with his life

A Sderot resident who came to the aid of two girls who were harassed was attacked by the suspected driver. When he tried to photograph the vehicle's license plate, the driver accelerated toward him and continued driving while he lay sprawled on the hood, as he reported to the police. The incident ended with an indictment filed against two suspects.

A Sderot resident, Shmuel Pahima, came to the aid of two girls who were harassed on the street by a car driver. The driver, a 26-year-old from Tel Sheva, entered a parking lot and began driving after the girls, honking and harassing them. Pahima approached the driver and asked to clarify the nature of his behavior, while simultaneously calling the police hotline. During the call, the driver got out of his car and attacked Pahima. After the attack, the driver returned to his car, and Pahima stood in front of the vehicle in an attempt to photograph the license plate. The driver accelerated toward him, struck him, and continued driving while Pahima lay sprawled on the hood, as he reported to the police hotline in real time. Sderot station police officers arrested the suspected driver as well as another suspect on suspicion of obstruction of justice. Within about a month, an indictment was filed against the two. The incident ended without loss of life, but illustrates how a citizen's attempt to help girls in distress deteriorated into a life-threatening situation.