Dmitri Pundikov

July 25, 2002 - Dmitri Pundikov, 33, of Bat-Yam was one of five people killed in a double suicide bombing on Neve Sha'anan Street near the old central bus station in Tel Aviv on July 17.

The two suicide bombers blew themselves up at a distance of 15-20 meters apart on the busy Neve Sha'anan street at 10:10 P.M., an area frequented by many foreign workers. The bombs, which were strapped to the waists of the bombers, he said, contained nails and metal shards. Five people, three of them foreign workers, were killed and about 40 were injured.

Dmitri Pundikov, who sustained mortal injuries to the head, died of his injuries on July 25 at Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv.

Dmitri, who worked for an air conditioning company, immigrated to Israel with his family three years ago from Russia. They settled in Bat Yam to be near his wife Irena's family. At the time of the attack, he was sitting with a close friend, Boris Shamis, who was also killed. Dmitri's family decided to donate his organs, in the hope of saving other lives.

Dmitri was devoted to his son and wanted to give him a good education, to prepare him for life in Israel. He was an optimist and wanted to live in Israel, despite the situation.

Dmitri Pundikov was buried in the Christian section of the Yarkon cemetery in Tel-Aviv. He is survived by his wife Irena and their 10-year-old son, Dennis.