Bus driver forces dozens of Palestinians off at demand of Jewish passenger

The Tnufa bus company has apologized after a driver forced dozens of Palestinian laborers off one of its buses at the demand of a Jewish passenger who boarded the bus.

One of the workers, who spoke on condition of anonymity to the Haaretz daily, said some 50 workers traveling from Tel Aviv toward the settlement of Ariel in order to return to their homes were told by the driver to disembark in Bnei Brak, after one of three Jewish passengers who boarded demanded it.

The company says the passenger in question impersonated a Transportation Ministry official and told the driver Palestinians could no longer travel on the line. The driver said he was threatened by the passenger with the loss of his job if he did not comply.

Tnufa says it has filed a complaint with police and will emphasize to drivers that it is illegal to discriminate among passengers.