If an Israeli company hoped that participating in a TV news report on its new anti-stabbing vests would bolster sales, the idea might have backfired — when the reporter, in fact, got stabbed.
In response to a wave of stabbings in Israel, FMS Enterprises — which normally manufactures bulletproof material — developed what it calls a stab-proof vest.
Eitam Lachover, a reporter for Israel’s Channel 1, was doing a story on the vest and decided to put the anti-stabbing material to the test. Personally.
He cut open his jacket and put the anti-stabbing material inside, and had an FMS Enterprises employee try to stab him.
Lachover’s back was pierced by the knife, though not deeply.
Avi Blum, the company’s CEO, told CNN that because the material had not been sewn in place or otherwise anchored in the reporter’s jacket, “it moved a little bit down” and the employee “stabbed him in the upper part, where there was no anti-stabbing material.”
Superficial wound, a few stitches
Lachover did not respond immediately to a request for comment.
But he tweeted Wednesday that he was OK.
“Superficial stab, some stitches and was released back home,” he tweeted in Hebrew. “Thanks to everyone who expressed concern!”
The feeling of insecurity among ordinary Israelis, due to the wave of stabbings, continues to run high. Blum said that the failed demonstration notwithstanding, the anti-stabbing vests would go on the market “very soon.”
