Special Eretz Yisroel Shelanu Interview: Uzi Ma'atabi, Taxi Driver Hero
Our Weakness Gives Terrorists Daringness to Murder Jews
Brave taxi driver who shot the terrorist thanks SOS-Israel for their gift
Uzi Ma'atabi is one of the heroes of the terror attack in Yerushalayim. He stopped his taxi, ran and shot the terrorist on the tractor. As part of the SOS policy, Uzi received a 1,800 NIS stipend. In an interview with Eretz Yisroel Shelanu, Uzi reconstructs those moments where he kept his cool and acted quickly to save lives.
Uzi, you received a monetary prize from SOS- Israel for saving lives.
"I thank SOS for presenting me with a prize. This was especially important to me since because of my act I lost work days and suffered damage. I bless you for acknowledging and appreciating people who act calmly to save lives, and don't take anything into account when human lives are at stake."
What conclusions have you come to from all that has happened in Yerushalayim in the past year?
"Our weakness makes the terrorists more daring. If we would be firm and rule with a strong hand, this would never happen. I sincerely hope that there will be more security people on the job, leading to more awareness and better security coverage."
Please relate where you were when the attack happened.
"I work for the Pisga taxi company. I was going from Ramat Sharett to the Central Bus Station. I turned the meter on, and I drove down towards the Golomb junction. Suddenly I saw a police car being lifted by a tractor; the security cameras didn't catch this. He flipped the car. I told my passenger to wait in the taxi, put my hand on my gun and ran out. The policeman shot at him but the glass window only cracked.
"I ran to the left of the tractor driver, identified him sitting on his seat, shot 2-3 shots towards the center of his body, and he fell to the floor of the tractor. I stayed near him until the police arrived. He was still breathing."
Was it easily reachable?
"At that point, yes. I can tell you in my experience as a taxi driver that we in Yerushalayim suffer from terrible traffic congestion. If this would have happened on Yaffo and King George Streets, there is no access. I don't want to think what could happen, G-d forbid."
Did you ever dream of being in such a situation?
"I am always alert and look around to see what's going on around me. However, I would have never believed such a situation. But if it would happen again, I would act calmly and purposefully again.
"I wish again to express my thanks to SOS- Israel and Rabbi Volpo for the prize they gave me. It gives much encouragement to citizens like myself, who know how to act responsibly and with dauntlessness, to take care of matters in the correct way without hesitating even for a split second, since our goal is saving lives."
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