Jerusalem Old City seller attacks US tourist over ice cream price
Store owner arrested, charged after smashing glass over customer's head; shop closed for 8 days following incident
The owner of an ice cream store in Jerusalem’s Old City was indicted on Sunday for assaulting an American tourist earlier this month during an argument over the price of the customer’s purchase.
In surveillance footage of the incident released by police, the store owner can be seen smashing a glass cup over the head of the tourist, in his 50s, before physically tussling with him as bystanders look on.
The customer was lightly injured in the encounter and received medical treatment for cuts to his head, the Israel Hayom daily reported.
Police arrived at the scene shortly after the incident and detained the assailant after he attempted to escape into his store to hide, according to the report.
A police investigation later revealed that an argument broke out over the price of the customer’s ice cream purchase, then escalated when the owner attacked and began to fight with the traveler.
At a hearing last week, it was ruled that the ice cream store would be closed for eight days.
Police requested along with the indictment that the store owner be kept in custody until the conclusion of the legal proceedings.