Netanyahu tries to calm tensions after Israeli bus runs over and kills ultra-Orthodox teen

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged calm Wednesday after a bus driver ran over and killed a teenage boy during a protest by thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jewish demonstrators against a law seeking to draft them into Israel’s military.

“I call for restraint to prevent the mood from becoming further inflamed so that, heaven forbid, we do not have additional tragedies,” Netanyahu said in a statement, adding that the death would be thoroughly investigated.

The incident on Tuesday evening killed yeshiva student Yosef Eisenthal, who police said was 14. Video from the protest obtained by The Associated Press showed the boy being trapped under the vehicle while the driver continued to drive on for several meters as onlookers jostled and screamed.

Police officers arrested and questioned the bus driver, who told investigators he was attacked by protesters before his vehicle hit the boy. Police said Wednesday that the driver's arrest had been extended until Jan. 15. He has not yet been charged.

Protesters had been blocking the road and acting violently toward police officers, throwing eggs and other objects at them, a police spokesperson said.

The violence reflected growing tensions between the Israeli authorities and the ultra-Orthodox, known as Haredim, as the government mulls plans to draft them into the military.

When Israel was founded in 1948, a small number of gifted ultra-Orthodox scholars were granted exemptions from the draft, which is compulsory for most Jews in the country. But with a push from politically powerful religious parties, those numbers have swelled over the decades.

There is support for rolling back the ultra-Orthodox exemption among many secular Israelis, especially those who have served multiple rounds of duty in the latest war between Israel and the Palestinian militant Hamas group in Gaza.

Measures to draft the ultra-Orthodox have been met with staunch opposition and occasional violence from religious protesters who claim serving in the military will destroy their way of life. The pushback has created a political problem for Netanyahu, who relies on the support of religious parties in the Israeli Parliament.

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men protest against army recruitment in Jerusalem, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men protest against army recruitment in Jerusalem, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

Israeli police inspect a bus following an incident in which it hit ultra-Orthodox Jewish demonstrators blocking a road during a protest against army recruitment in Jerusalem, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men protest against army recruitment in Jerusalem, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

Israeli police inspect a bus following an incident in which it hit ultra-Orthodox Jewish demonstrators blocking a road during a protest against army recruitment in Jerusalem, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Keldon Johnson had 27 points, Victor Wembanyama added 16 points and 14 rebounds, and the San Antonio Spurs overcame 38 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists from Luka Doncic to beat the Los Angeles Lakers 107-91 on Wednesday night.

San Antonio moved into second place in the Western Conference despite shooting 4 for 25 on 3-pointers.

LeBron James didn't play due to arthritis and sciatica as Los Angeles' three-game winning streak came to an end.

Calf strains also sidelined Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura for the Lakers.

Jake LaRavia, with 16 points, and Jaxson Hayes, with 10, were the only other Lakers to score in double figures against the Spurs.

Wembanyama was listed as questionable after returning Tuesday from a two-game absence due to a hyperextended left knee. He had 30 points in 20 minutes in a 106-105 loss at Memphis and followed that up with his 15th double-double this season.

San Antonio went on an 11-4 run midway through the third quarter for a 71-59 lead. Johnson and Stephon Castle combined for nine points in the run.

Castle finished with 15 points and De'Aaron Fox added 14.

Both teams were on the second night of a back-to-back game.

The Lakers disrupted alley-oop attempts to Castle and Luke Kornet in the opening minutes.

While the Spurs struggled to complete what has become a go-to move this season, Hayes threw in a reverse dunk in front of Wembanyama off a half-court, alley-oop pass from Doncic.

Doncic had 22 points, seven rebounds and seven assists while playing all but four minutes in the first half. He finished with his 86th career triple-double in the regular season, which is seventh in league history.

Lakers: Host Milwaukee on Friday.

Spurs: At Boston on Saturday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) and Los Angeles Lakers forward Dalton Knecht (4) reach for a rebound during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson (3) celebrates a score against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) scores past Los Angeles Lakers forward Jake Laravia (12) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes (40) is fouled by Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (5) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) scores against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)