Rafael Haim

May 7, 2002 - Rafael Haim, 64, of Tel-Aviv was one of 15 people killed when a suicide bomber detonated a powerful charge in a game club located on the 3rd floor of a building in Rishon Lezion, causing part of the building to collapse. Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack.

At about 11:00 PM, the terrorist entered the unlicensed Sheffield Club with a suitcase of explosives, spiked with shrapnels and nails to cause maximum injury. The patrons were trying their luck at slot machines, card games or snooker. 15 were killed, and 55 wounded in the blast.

Rafael Haim immigrated to Israel with his family from Iraq when he was 11. He worked as a truck driver in the wholesale market, transporting fresh produce until his retirement two months ago. Rafael went to the Sheffield Club on Tuesday night for the first time with a friend from the wholesale market and was killed in the blast.

Rafael Haim was buried in Holon. He is survived by his wife, six children and 16 grandchildren.