Herzog visits elderly Arab man attacked at Damascus gate, expresses sympathy, support

OCTOBER 2, 2026 13:32President Isaac Herzog met with an Arab man on Thursday who had been attacked and injured at the Damascus gate in Jerusalem earlier this week, expressing his sorrow about the incident and offering his support."I wanted to express my deep sorrow to you," Herzog said to Ahmed al-Husseini, 66. "I was truly saddened to see what happened to you, and I think the entire people of Israel was deeply pained to see this incident."Herzog added that no elderly person and "no person whatsoever" should be treated the way Husseini had been."I strongly condemn the violence against you," he said. "We must act with every tool at our disposal against this violence.”He also wished Husseini a quick recovery and return to his routine.MK Rabbi Gilad Kariv meets with Ahmed al-Husseini, October 1, 2026. (credit: Screenshot/Facebook/MK Rabbi Gilad Kariv - En)Husseini, speaking about the incident, said that he'd been on his way to work when he was attacked."I tried to get away from the area," he said. "I fell several times and was in shock at what had happened, to the point that I didn’t even know where I was.”MK Gilad Kariv visits attacked Arab manThe Democrats MK Gilad Kariv also met with Husseini on Thursday, calling out what he called "shocking violence by racist extremists."According to Kariv, Husseini was forced to rush himself to the hospital after not receiving any assistance by IDF or police officers, "despite the fact that the checkpoint at Damascus Gate was staffed."He also said that Husseini had two ribs broken during the altercation."This indifference. This violence. This heartlessness - they are not expressions of Judaism," Kariv said. "They are an expression of the deep illness in our society and of the profound connection between the brutality of Israeli politics and what is happening on the streets. The overwhelming majority of Israelis abhor this behavior. But the overwhelming majority is also a silent majority, and this fence-sitting provides tailwind to the hooligans."Kariv also called for the police to bring the attackers to justice.Follow us on Google