Avi Zerihan

May 19, 2003 - Avi Zerihan, 36, of Beit Shean was one of three people killed in a suicide bombing at the entrance to the Amakim Mall in Afula. The Islamic Jihad and the Fatah al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades both claimed responsibility for the attack.

Kiryl Shremko, a new security guard, was on duty at the doorway when his metal detector began beeping as the bomber, a young woman, reached the entrance. He called to his partner, Hadar Gitlin, apparently to ask for her help, when the bomb went off. The security guard, Avi Zerihan, and Hassan Ismail Tawatha were killed; Hadar was one of 70 people wounded in the blast. By preventing the suicide bomber from entering the mall, filled with about 2,500 people, the guards saved countless lives.

Avi had apparently been waiting on line for the security check to enter the mall and ran to assist the guards when they stopped the bomber. Avi's brother Meir said that he was proud that his brother tried to help. He described Avi as quiet and shy: "Everyone liked him. He never hurt anyone and always wanted to help - it didn't matter who."

Avi Zerihan had recently completed professional training as a refrigeration and air conditioning technician. He was also taking courses in investment in Haifa. Born in Beit Shean, he returned to his home town last year, after 10 years in Eilat where he worked as a construction and industrial electrician, to be near his mother. He was planning a fresh start in Tel Aviv, and was looking for work and an apartment to rent.

Avi Zerihan was buried in Beit Shean. He is survived by his mother Zohara, ten brothers and three sisters.