|
|
February 23, 2001/Shevet 30, 5761, Vol. 53, No.21
Terrorist act in Israel hits home
NAOMI SEGAL
Jewish Telegraphic Agency
BARRY COHEN
Community Editor
Eight Israelis were killed and 20 wounded Feb. 14 when a Palestinian driver plow-ed a bus into a crowded bus stop south of Tel Aviv, the deadliest terrorist attack in Israel in four years.
Seven soldiers were among the dead.
Two of the soldiers - Staff Sergeant Ofir Megidish, 20, and Sergeant David Iluz, 21 - were from Kiryat Malachi, the Partnership 2000 sister city of the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix.
"For me, any time this tragedy occurs, it is affecting my family," said Art Paikowsky, federation executive vice president. The recent deaths "made it all the more apparent and struck home in a more powerful way," he said.
Paikowsky participated in an international Israeli solidarity mission Oct. 29-Nov. 2. Other local participants included Lanny Lahr, federation president; Rabbi William Berk of Temple Chai in Phoenix; Herb Sperber, federation executive committee member; Sol Moretsky, president of Kivel Campus of Care; Jay Schechter, headmaster of the Jess Schwartz Jewish Community High School; and Nate Sachs, community leader.
"It was more than just sorrow for another Israeli soldier," said Sperber. "It felt more like mishpacha (family)."
In Kiryat Malachi, Megidish and Iluz were camp counselors and youth group participants, two programs supported by the federation, said Paikowsky. He said previous federation visitors had met with the young men, hearing from them "what it is to be in the army and about the risks."
Phoenix' federation faxed a letter to the residents of Kiryat Malachi that read in part: "We send our condolences to (the Megidish and Iluz) families and loved ones and hope that in the days ahead they will find the strength they need to heal the wounds that have been inflicted upon them. ... Kiryat Malachi holds a special place in all of our hearts. We mourn with you during this difficult time."
Outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Barak called the deadly hit-and-run attack an "abominable crime" and tightened a blockade of Palestinian-ruled areas.
He also suspended VIP permits that enable senior Palestinian officials to travel between the West Bank and Gaza Strip through Israel.
Prime Minister-elect Ariel Sharon said through a spokesman that the attack proved terrorists do not differentiate between the West Bank and Gaza Strip and "the heart of Israel."
Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat dismissed the incident as a "road accident," according to press reports.
Police said the driver of the bus was a 35-year-old Palestinian father of three who had Israeli security clearances and had worked for the Egged bus company for the past five years, ferrying Palestinians to jobs in Israel.
The driver was wounded during a police chase and apprehended some 20 miles south of the scene of the assault, which took place outside the Tel Aviv suburb of Holon.
Witnesses to the attack said the bus stop was packed with soldiers and civilians waiting for lifts when the bus driven by the Palestinian careened into the stop shortly before 8 a.m. The bus then sped south on the main highway toward Gaza.
The driver's relatives said he was not affiliated with any Islamic group. His brother said his desperate economic situation due to the Israeli closure, or the Israeli "aggression" against Palestinians, may have driven him to his act.
Israeli security officials said the driver had his clearance renewed just two weeks ago.
Palestinian officials blamed Israel for the attack. The Palestinian Authority official in charge of justice, Freih Abu Medein, said the attack was a result of what he called Israel's use of excessive force against the Palestinians.
Kiryat Malachi can be contacted through the city's mayor, Lior Katzav, at amihai@hotmail.co.il. Katzav is the brother of Israeli President Moshe Katzav.
|
