David Abraham, a 52-year-old Orthodox Jewish man, found himself at the center of a distressing incident on a London bus that has sparked an outcry and prompted investigations by both police and transport authorities. On Monday, October 27, 2025, Abraham boarded the 149 bus in Stoke Newington Road, Hackney, as he made his way home from his synagogue. What began as an ordinary journey quickly took a troubling turn, leaving Abraham shaken and raising fresh questions about antisemitism and public safety in the capital.
According to BBC News, Abraham accidentally dropped his bank card inside the driver's cab while paying his fare at 13:35 GMT. When he politely asked the driver to return it, the situation escalated in ways he could never have expected. Abraham recounted, "He said 'get out, I don't like Jewish people you look like a Mossad agent.' I said 'why you say that?' So I was shocked." The driver’s remarks, which Abraham described as antisemitic, left him stunned and fearful.
The ordeal didn’t end there. The driver not only refused to return the bank card but also called the Metropolitan Police. As Abraham pleaded for his property, the driver reportedly threatened, "If you don't get out, I will lock you in the bus." Abraham, feeling increasingly unsafe, remained inside. According to The Jewish Chronicle, he then appealed to other passengers for help. "They were nervous and they [asked the driver] why he was behaving like that," Abraham explained, noting that eventually, the other passengers disembarked, leaving him alone with the driver.
Locked inside the bus for about an hour, Abraham’s anxiety grew. "I was very traumatised," he told The Telegraph. "I haven’t been sleeping well. I’m wondering why he was behaving like this. I did nothing to him. I was very shocked. I panicked, and I was scared. I’m not safe." With no other recourse, Abraham called the police himself. Officers arrived at 14:03, as confirmed by the Metropolitan Police, who responded to reports of a verbal dispute between two men on a bus travelling in Stamford Hill, Hackney.
When the police arrived, the situation remained tense. Abraham recalled, "The police came and [asked the driver], 'Why won’t you give him his bank card?', and he said, 'I can’t give it, if you want to give it to him you have to open the door and give it to him.'" The officers then opened the cabin door, retrieved the bank card, and handed it back to Abraham. At the scene, no crime was officially reported, but Abraham later reported the incident as a hate crime the following day, as detailed by the BBC and The Times of Israel.
The response from authorities and the bus company was swift. Arriva London Bus, which employs the driver, confirmed that the driver had been suspended pending a full investigation. A spokesperson for Arriva stated, "We are taking it extremely seriously and we will take all appropriate action once our investigation has concluded. We are a responsible employer, and we expect the highest standards from our drivers. We never tolerate abuse in any of its forms and we will always deal with any incidents swiftly and robustly." Transport for London (TfL) echoed this stance, with a spokesperson saying, "We take a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of abuse and work closely with the police to pursue anyone who is abusive to our customers or staff. We are supporting the police and the bus operator, Arriva, while they investigate and take appropriate formal action."
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that an investigation is underway and appealed to the public for information, asking anyone with knowledge of the incident to call 101 quoting CAD 3847/27OCT25. No arrests have been made as of yet, but the incident has been officially logged as a hate crime, with authorities treating the matter with utmost seriousness.
The incident has drawn widespread attention, not just within the Jewish community but across London. Sir Michael Ellis, a former attorney-general, weighed in on the matter, telling The Telegraph, "The police should be investigating this distressing incident as an alleged offence of false imprisonment. This is just the latest in a series of allegations of anti-Jewish hatred on public transport in London – and it requires an urgent response." His comments reflect growing concerns about the safety of minority communities on public transport and the need for robust action to address hate crimes.
For Abraham, the effects of the incident have been deeply personal. He told the BBC that he now feels "scared" to go out again, a sentiment that resonates with many who have experienced discrimination or abuse in public spaces. The emotional toll is evident in his words: "I was very traumatised... I panicked, and I was scared. I’m not safe." His experience has sparked conversations about the responsibilities of public service providers and the importance of fostering an environment where all passengers feel safe and respected.
Community leaders and advocacy groups have also voiced their concerns. They argue that incidents like these highlight the need for ongoing education, training, and vigilance among public transport staff. The fact that Abraham’s pleas were met with hostility rather than assistance is, for many, a stark reminder of the work that remains to be done to combat prejudice and ensure public spaces are welcoming for everyone.
Meanwhile, the bus driver’s suspension and the ongoing investigations by both Arriva and the Metropolitan Police are being closely watched. The outcome of these inquiries will likely set an important precedent for how similar incidents are handled in the future. Both Transport for London and Arriva have reiterated their commitment to zero tolerance for abuse, emphasizing that swift and decisive action will be taken if wrongdoing is confirmed.
As the story continues to unfold, it has become a focal point in broader discussions about antisemitism, public safety, and accountability in London’s transport system. The case has prompted calls for greater transparency in how complaints are managed and for stronger safeguards to protect vulnerable passengers. While the investigation is ongoing, Abraham’s experience serves as a sobering reminder of the challenges that remain in building a city where everyone can travel without fear.
With the eyes of the public and authorities on this case, the hope is that justice will be served—and that lessons will be learned to prevent similar incidents in the future.
