Lance Cpl. Menashe Komemi

Sept 22, 2004 - Lance Cpl. Menashe Komemi, 19, of Moshav Aminadav was one of two Border Policemen killed in a suicide bombing at the French Hill junction hitchhiking post in northern Jerusalem. The Fatah al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades claimed responsibility for the attack.

The suicide bomber, identified as Zayneb Abu Salem, 18, from the Askar refugee camp in Nablus, arrived at the junction from the direction of Jerusalem, wearing a brown veil and holding a bag containing the shrapnel-packed explosive device. Following previous bombings in the same area, passengers can enter the area of the hitchhiking post only after a security check by Border Police officers. Mamoya Tahio and Komemi were stationed at a guard post nearby. The bomber tried to pass the officers on her way to the hitchhiking post, but one of the officers, apparently Tahio, tried to search her belongings. The two began arguing, and the second officer came out of the guard post. The bomber then detonated the explosives. Tahio was killed instantly; Komemi died in hospital;17 people were wounded.

Menashe Komemi attended a naval academy in Ashdod during his high school years. He enlisted seven months ago and wanted to serve in a combat corps, but four months ago transfered to the Border Police. His father said he loved serving in the army but did not like to go tell his family details regarding his service. The last time he had visited his family was on the Rosh Hashana holiday last Thursday. Komemi celebrated his nineteenth birthday two weeks ago in the army.

Menashe's father, Rahamim Komemi, underwent a kidney transplant three years ago and has been unemployed ever since. Menashe, the oldest of eight children, worked as a waiter in a banquet hall while serving in the army and used the extra funds to support his family.

Lance Cpl. Menashe Komemi was buried in the police cemetery at Mount Herzl in Jerusalem. He is survived by his parents, Rahamim and Aviva, and seven siblings.