CHIŞINĂU, Moldova – An Israeli mother and her son said they were prevented from boarding a scheduled bus in Moldova on Sunday morning after the driver refused to let them on and said the company “does not transport Jews or Israelis,” according to an interview with Ynet and video posted on social media.
The woman, identified by Ynet as Chava Shmilovitz, said she and her son were returning to Israel after visiting the gravesite of the Baal Shem Tov and spending holidays in Uman, Ukraine. They had purchased tickets for a bus from Moldova to Bucharest for a flight home.
Shmilovitz told reporters that her son, who was wearing a kippah and traditional Jewish garments, attempted to board first but was stopped by the driver. She said the driver pushed her son and refused to let either of them board despite showing valid tickets.
When the couple called for help, a police officer arrived at the scene and initially told the driver to allow them on. Shmilovitz said the driver then ordered all passengers off the bus, drove a short distance, and reboarded other passengers to avoid allowing the Israeli family back on. According to her account, a Hebrew-speaking police officer later translated the driver’s comment that the company would not transport Jews or Israelis, and company clerks allegedly told the family the same.
The family said they were forced to hire a private taxi to reach Bucharest and that the bus company refused to refund their tickets. Shmilovitz described the incident as horrifying and called on Israeli authorities to intervene on behalf of citizens who face antisemitism abroad.
There was no immediate public response from Moldovan police or the bus company to Ynet’s report. The Israeli Foreign Ministry said it was aware of the report and is looking into the details of the incident.
Video of the incident circulated on social media and was shared by members of the Jewish community. Footage posted online shows a confrontation at a bus door and distressed passengers; the material was cited by several Hebrew-language outlets covering the story.
Human rights and Jewish communal organizations have reported a rise in antisemitic incidents across Europe and other regions since October 7, 2023, prompting calls for stronger protections for Jewish travelers and pilgrims. The reported Moldova incident aligns with broader concerns raised by community leaders about targeted discrimination against visibly Jewish travelers in some jurisdictions.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry’s notification that it is “looking into the details” typically triggers consular outreach to affected citizens and inquiries with local authorities. Embassy-level inquiries can lead to investigations, requests for security assurances for Jewish citizens, and efforts to secure refunds or compensation when commercially available remedies are denied. There is no public record yet of an official reply from Chisinau or the bus operator.
This episode occurred as hundreds of thousands of Jewish pilgrims travel seasonally through the region for religious observances. Jewish leaders say that when discrimination appears at transport hubs, it not only harms the immediate victims but also undermines the sense of security that communities and communal institutions try to maintain for those traveling abroad.
What happened in Moldova will be subject to verification as consular officials and the Israeli Foreign Ministry review testimony, passenger manifests, and available security camera footage. If the allegations are confirmed, legal and diplomatic steps could follow, including formal complaints lodged with Moldovan authorities and demands for accountability from the private carrier.
For Jewish and Zionist readers, the incident is a reminder that antisemitism can surface in unexpected places and that vigilance, documentation, and prompt diplomatic engagement are necessary tools to protect Jewish travelers. Community organizations and embassies frequently advise travelers to retain tickets and receipts, record incident details, and report abuses immediately to local authorities and their consulate.
This article is based on verified information from Ynet’s Jewish World desk and circulating social media footage of the event.