Amiram Hamami

Mar 27, 2002 - Amiram (Ami) Hamami, 44, 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.

Ami Hamami, the Park Hotel manager and security officer, was married to Corinne, the hotel owners' daughter, but she was not at the seder. The couple have six children, ages 6 to 20. Two of his sons, Yair, 13, and Yotam, 16, were saved because they were on the second floor playing backgammon. They came down for the seder minutes after the explosion. Another son, seven, was slightly wounded in the leg.

Ami reportedly saw the terrorist enter the hotel and chased him, but was fatally injured and later died of his wounds two days later.

Family members said Hamami was known for his giving nature. He was always ready to help people in need, family members said. He often gave away hotel food on a regular basis to impoverished people.

Ami Hamami was buried in Netanya. He is survived by his wife and six children.