Alter Britvich

Apr 2, 2002 - Alter Britvich, 88, of Netanya was one of 30 people killed in a suicide bombing in the Park Hotel in the coastal city of Netanya, in the midst of the Passover holiday seder.

On the eve of Passover, the terrorist walked into the dining room of the hotel, located in the center of Netanya, where 250 guests had just sat down to begin the seder. He detonated an explosive device, killing 22 immediately and injuring 140, eight of whom subsequently died. The bomber was identified as a member of the Hamas Iz a Din al-Kassam Brigades, from the West Bank city of Tulkarem, which is just 10 kilometers (six miles) east of Netanya. He was on the list of wanted terrorists Israel had requested be arrested.

Alter Britvich was injured in the suicide bombing and died of his injuries six days later.

Alter immigrated to Israel in the 1930s from Romania and was injured here during World War II. He met his wife, Frieda, after a long courtship by mail, married her in 1947 and settled in Netanya. Each year, Alter and Frieda would celebrate the seder in a different location. This year, concerned about traveling, they decided to celebrate the holiday in Netanya. Several hours after Alter died, his wife Frieda, also injured in the blast, passed away.

Alter Britvich was buried in Netanya alongside his wife. He is survived by two children and eight grandchildren.