u/Expensive_Battle_623

I'm 20 years old (M), and my girlfriend and I were at the HaGadol Mall in Petah Tikva. The day started like normal, until something completely unexpected happened. We witnessed a man deliberately shove an elderly woman with his shoulder. Before I could fully process it, he turned towards my girlfriend and was about to push her too. I'm 1.84 meters, and he looked around 1.60 to 1.58 meters tall. My instincts kicked in instantly. I didn't hesitate. I shoved him back much harder, stopping him mid-action. He stumbled backward and crashed into a sushi bar behind him. A really tense confrontation ensued. He started shouting at me, trying to provoke me and demanding "What are you afraid of?". Knowing my own struggles with anger, I genuinely feared the situation could escalate further, especially when he reached into his pocket, making me fear for a knife. I made a conscious decision to de-escalate. I quickly moved my girlfriend to a safe spot, started shouting to draw attention, and even tried to secure a loose during the commotion. I continuously monitored the situation, ensuring my safety and those around me, refusing to let the anger take control.