FSM Salim Barakat

Mar 5, 2002 - Police officer FSM Salim Barakat, 33, of Yarka was one of three people killed in Tel-Aviv when a Palestinian terrorist opened fire on two adjacent restaurants.

Shortly after 2 A.M., a Palestinian terrorist took up a position on a pedestrian bridge in the center of Tel-Aviv and opened fire with a long-barreled M-16 assault rifle at two restaurants below. Police 1st Sgt.-Maj. Salim Barakat, 33, from the Druze village of Yarka in the Galilee, in civilian clothes, was on a routine stakeout for car thieves about 100 meters away. Barakat headed towards the scene. After shooting the terrorist, he leaned over the body to check whether he was wearing exlosives, only to be fatally stabbed by the terrorist.

Salim Barakat completed his studies at the high school in Yarka, and immediately joined the army. According to his friends, he was one of the best soldiers in the IDF minorities unit. After completing his army service, he was married.

In 1993 Salim joined the police force, and began serving in the Tel-Aviv area. Two years ago he was selected as the best patrol policeman in the Tel-Aviv region. Given the option of serving closer to his home in the Galilee, he preferred to remain in Tel-Aviv, returning home to his family only on weekends. Because of the crisis situation, he had not been home in two weeks.

Police Commissioner Shlomo Aharonishky said at his funeral: "Salim Barakat of Kfar Yarka was a hero, who devoted his entire life to fighting for Israel, and with Israel. He was brave, determined and motivated. He did not hesitate for a moment, but immediately charged the terrorist."

Police 1st Sgt.-Maj. Salim Barakat was buried in Yarka. He is survived by his wife, his daughter (4), parents, and 7 brothers and sisters.