Rahamim Zidkiyahu

Jun 18, 2002 - Rahamim Zidkiyahu, 51, of Jerusalem, was one of 19 people killed in a suicide bombing at the Patt junction in Egged bus no. 32A traveling from Gilo to the center of Jerusalem.

The terrorist boarded the bus at 7:50 A.M. at the stop in Beit Safafa, an Arab neighborhood opposite Gilo, and almost immediately detonated the large bomb which he carried in a bag stuffed with ball bearings. The blast destroyed the front half of the bus, packed with people on their way to work and schoolchildren. Of the 19 victims, 17 were residents of the Gilo neighborhood; 74 people were injured.

Rahamim Zidkiyahu, the driver of the bus that exploded, had worked as an Egged driver since 1975. His cousin Yaron described him as a man full of the joy of life - always smiling, an exemplary father, someone who always gave of himself to others. He was also a devoted fan of the Betar Jerusalem soccer team and was its regular driver for many years.

Rahamim was killed in his seat, his hands still on the steering wheel. He had replaced the scheduled driver, who was late for his shift. He was planning to return home by 9:30 to see the soccer match between Japan and Turkey. He had been planning to take his youngest son, Ron, to Euro Disney in Paris to celebrate his bar mitzva next month.

Rahamim Zidkiyahu was buried in Jerusalem. He is survived by his wife, Miriam, their three children, and a daughter from a previous marriage.