Pedestrian injured in attack on Arab taxi driver

A pedestrian was lightly injured during an attack on an Arab taxi driver by protesters from the far-right Lahava and La Familia organizations on Monday during demonstrations against the moratorium on the judicial reform, Israeli media reported. The incident occurred on Ben Zvi Street in Jerusalem.

The driver ran into an area where dozens of youths were rioting, blocking the road and burning trash, when they surrounded his taxi and one of them attempted to attack him as he was trying to escape from the scene, according to the Israel Police. As rioters chased the car, the driver hit a pedestrian's leg. The police are currently conducting an investigation into the incident.

About La Familia and Lehava

La Familia is a group of hardcore fans of the soccer team Beitar Jerusalem known for its anti-Arab racism and far-right political views.

Lehava is a far-right anti-LGBTQ group that opposes relations between Jews and non-Jews.

Both groups have previously been linked to incitement and violence against Arabs, The Jerusalem Post noted last year.

Former Defense Minister and head of the National Unity Party Benny Gantz called for both La Familia and Lehava to be classified as terrorist organizations after members of the groups chanted anti-Arab slogans during last year's Jerusalem Day flag march, including “Death to Arabs,” “Muhammad is dead,” “The village is burning” and “Shuafat is on fire.”