Alexander Zwitman

Nov 15, 2002 - Alexander Zwitman, 26, of Kiryat Arba, was one of 12 people killed -- nine soldiers and three civilians from the Kiryat Arba emergency response team -- and 15 wounded in Hebron when Palestinian terrorists opened fire and threw grenades at a group of Jewish worshipers and their guards as they were walking home from Sabbath Eve prayers at the Cave of the Patriarchs.

The security personnel returned fire and pursued the attackers in a battle lasting some 90 minutes. Three terrorists were killed in the attack, which was claimed by the Islamic Jihad.

Zwitman, an immigrant from Ukraine, worked during the day as a member of the Kiryat Arba security unit and was a volunteer member of the community's emergency response team. He was killed with two other members of the team when they responded to the sounds of fighting and went to help and to rescue wounded.

Zwitman, his wife, Leda, their parents and son, Eyal, five, were celebrating Leda's birthday when the attack began. "He kissed me and told me how much he loved me," said Leda. "I went to bring something from the kitchen and returned to see he had already left, and I understood he had gone to the incident." Half an hour later, three men appeared with the news of his death.

Alexander Zwitman is survived by his parents, his wife, Leda, and son, Eyal, five. He was buried with two other members of his team in a military ceremony at Har Hamenuhot Cemetery in Jerusalem.