British man in hospital after Jerusalem stabbing attack

A man thought to hold dual British and Israeli nationality was being treated at Jerusalem’s Shaare Zedek Hospital this week after being stabbed by a Palestinian assailant while both were travelling on a bus in the capital.

Eli Mellish, 41, who is believed to be married and lives in the settlement of Givat Ze’ev on the West Bank, was stabbed in the head by a Palestinian man of similar age, while travelling on bus 137, near Jerusalem’s north-east Ramot neighbourhood.

The attacker used a screwdriver to stab Mr Mellish, who has family in Manchester and is said to be originally from Liverpool. He graduated from Birmingham University in 2003. He was taken to Shaare Zedek, which issued a statement on Tuesday, saying his condition was not life-threatening. Members of his friends and family WhatsApp group were being urged to say prayers for his speedy recovery.

Police told reporters that the Palestinian had attacked Mr Mellish on the bus while it was moving. The driver stopped and all the remaining passengers left the bus

But before police arrived on the scene, a photographer who works for the Ynet news site, Meshi Ben Ami, saw what was going on and shot and wounded the alleged assailant. He later told the Kan TV channel: “I got out of the car, loaded my gun and realised it was a terror attack. The stabber came to me, I did not hesitate and fired one bullet at him. I heard him praying in Arabic”.

Prime Minister Yair Lapid said: “I would like to wish a speedy recovery to the victim who was injured in the stabbing incident in Jerusalem. I congratulate the Ynet photographer, who happened to be at the scene and acted resolutely to neutralise the terrorist and prevent injury to other people”.

The suspected stabber was taken to a hospital, where he was listed as being in moderate condition, police said.