Activist Yoseph Haddad was indicted on Thursday following an altercation with a motorist last week in Jaffa, where a bullet was shot from his personal firearm.
Police said at the time that the arrest had nothing to do with Haddad’s public image or his social media presence, and the indictment seems to confirm that. Per reports, Haddad’s position is that he was under a legitimate threat.
What happened?
Last Wednesday, Haddad was driving from the southern part of Tel Aviv to the city’s north. His personal vehicle and the motorcycle, driven by Ibrahim Shurfi, met on the street.
At around 1:15 p.m., Shurfi overtook Haddad from the left. The activist honked at him, Shurfi pulled over and got out, and Haddad did as well.
Shurfi approached Haddad’s window, and an argument broke out between the two regarding proper driving etiquette.
Shurfi got back on his bike and began to move, but because of how close he was to the car window, Haddad readied his pistol – “without any apparent reason to,” reads the indictment – and held it close to his feet, all while yelling at Shurfi to leave the area.
Shurfi stopped near the window and yelled at Haddad, “What’s wrong with you?”
Curses were exchanged, and Haddad said to Shurfi, “I’m telling you right now that if you dare to raise a hand to me, I will wreck you... Get lost.”
Shurfi spat toward the window and began to drive away. Haddad then shot one bullet toward the street in a “hasty and careless manner,” reads the indictment.
Haddad was indicted for recklessness and negligence with a weapon, while Shurfi was charged with assault.