Irit Rashel

Mar 27, 2002 - Irit Rashel, 45, of Moshav Herev La'et 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.

Irit was born and raised in Moshav Herev La'et, in the Sharon area. She married Israel Rashel, a former Prisoner of Zion in Soviet Russia who immigrated to Israel. Israel heads the Jewish Agency office in Odessa, where he works with young potential immigrants. He visited home last week but returned to Odessa to arrange a seder for 100 Jews.

Irit and her husband had planned to tour Europe together in another two months. Irit had bought tickets to Budapest for herself and the younger daughter for the holiday but, in the end, sent her two daughters instead. She chose to attend the seder at the Park Hotel together with a childhood friend, and was killedin the blast.

Irit was a secretary in the psychological counseling services of neighboring Kibbutz Givat Haim. She loved to sing and was member of the Hadera choir.

Irit Rashel was buried in Moshav Herev La'et. She leaves behind her husband Israel, 50, and two daughters Einat, 20, and Adi, 18.