Sgt-Maj Avraham Beckerman

Mar 27, 2002 - Sgt.-Maj. Avraham Beckerman, 25, of Ashdod 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.

Avraham Beckerman grew up in Ashdod. He served at the Tel-Nof Air Force base in the helicopter squadron as a flight mechanic, and hoped to become an officer. Avraham was also a diving instructor, both in Ashkelon and in Eilat.

Avraham Beckerman was attending the seder organized by his girlfriend Gili Vider's grandparents for the whole family. Avraham was killed in the blast, as was Gili's sister Sivan and her father Ze'ev.

Sgt.-Maj. Avraham Beckerman was buried in Ashdod. He is survived by his mother and brother, Erez (22).