Police Sgt Moshe Hezkiyah

Sept 18, 2002 - Police Sgt. Moshe Hezkiyah, 21, of Elyachin was killed and three people were wounded in a suicide bombing at a bus stop at the Umm al Fahm junction.

Around 17:00 P.M., a police car spotted two suspicious figures at a bus stop on the road at the Umm al-Fahm junction. When the police approached to question them, the terrorist blew himself up, killing policeman Moshe Hezkiyah. Three others were wounded. The Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the attack.

"Hezkiyah sacrificed his life to stop a larger attack," said Northern District police chief Ya'acov Borovsky, who believes the terrorist planned to detonate the bomb after boarding a bus for Afula.

Moshe was the eldest son of Miriam and Uri Hezkiyah. The family moved to Moshav Elyachin, where Miriam grew up, six years ago. Moshe completed high school in Hadera, majoring in Middle Eastern studies. His friends expected him to become a diplomat. He enlisted in the police force three years, and intended to remain in the force after completing his obligatory military service in a month's time. Moshe's commander at the Iron police station described him as a "smiling policeman", who was both serious and disciplined.

Sgt. Moshe Hezkiyah was buried in Elyachin. He is survived by his parents and two sisters.