Eliezer Bublil, 63, from Even Yehuda, was arrested on Monday on suspicion of threatening a pharmacist at a Clalit Health Services pharmacy, spitting at her, and making racist remarks, including: “You Arabs should not be here.”
According to the suspicion, Bublil arrived at the pharmacy on Monday with a prescription for his wife. During his time there, a dispute developed between him and the pharmacists, who he claimed refused to treat his request. At one point, he allegedly began cursing, issuing threats, and spat at one of the pharmacists.
The pharmacy staff called the police, and Bublil was arrested on suspicion of threats and assault. He was later brought for a hearing at the Petah Tikva Magistrate’s Court, where police requested a five-day extension of his detention.
Police representative Sr.-St.-Sgt.-Maj. Yaniv Hindi described the sequence of events in court, saying: “The suspect arrived at the health clinic in Even Yehuda. There was a dispute with the pharmacists at the location. The pharmacist was frightened and called the department manager. When she arrived, he spat at the pharmacist.”
During the hearing, police presented security camera footage from the pharmacy, which allegedly documents the incident and Bublil’s actions.
Suspect does not need detention, defense argues
The suspect’s defense attorney argued that the confrontation began after the pharmacists refused to dispense medication for his wife, who had undergone back surgery. According to him, this was an incident that did not justify continued detention, especially given the suspect’s age, and that it would be sufficient to impose a restraining order from the location.
Judge Dror Kletman accepted the defense’s position and ordered Bublil’s release under restrictive conditions. As part of the decision, he was barred from approaching the pharmacy for 15 days, contacting the pharmacist involved, and was required to sign a financial guarantee.
In his ruling, the judge wrote: “Despite the ugliness of the incident, the level of dangerousness is low.” He also noted that if the suspect is found guilty, “he will be held accountable within the main case.”