Woman's car towed away after workers painted handicapped parking markings around it

On Sunday, Tel Aviv resident Hila Ben-Baruch parked her car in a legal spot outside her residence on Yehuda Halevi street. When she returned later, she was astounded to discover that her car had been towed and that the spot had been painted to designate it for handicapped parking. She was shocked.

"I called my friend who had been with me in the car to make sure that I had not gone crazy or become senile," Ben-Baruch said. She then called the Tel Aviv municipality. A dispatcher at the municipality's call centre treated her disrespectfully and accused her of lying.

Ben-Baruch was told she would have to pay 350 shekels (around £60, $95) in towing costs and that she would also be fined an even higher amount for parking in a handicapped space. Refusing to give up, Ben-Baruch went to an office building overlooking the parking spot and obtained security camera footage.  In the footage, a pair of Tel Aviv municipal workers are seen painting the spot with Ben-Baruch's car still there.

YouTube link.

Shortly thereafter, a tow truck comes to take Ben-Baruch's car away. Ben-Baruch has said that she may take legal steps against the municipality over the injustice and anguish the incident caused her. The Tel Aviv municipality cancelled the fine against Ben-Baruch and said she would not have to pay the towing costs. The Tel Aviv municipality said the incident marked "a serious mistake" and "unacceptable incompetence."