David Anichovitch

Mar 27, 2002 - David Anichovitch, 70, of Netanya 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.

David was born in Poland and fought in World War II. He immigrated to Israel from Russia in the 1950's. Here he met and married Frieda, born in Czechoslovakia. He worked in industry until his retirement and then moved to Netanya.

Frieda had wanted to prepare the seder at home, but David preferred to attend the seder at the Park Hotel. When Frieda was injured, she had the feeling that something must have happened to her husband since he did not come to look for her. From her hospital bed, she continually asked about her husband. Their son Akiva flew in from the United States where he is living with his family as soon as he heard of the attack. Together with social workers, he broke the sad news of his father's death to his mother.

David Anichovitch was buried in Netanya. He is survived by his wife Frieda and son Akiva.