Jamil Qa'adan

Oct 26, 2005 -- Jamil Qa'adan, 48, of Baka al-Gharbiya was one of six people who were murdered and 55 wounded, six of them seriously, when a suicide bomber detonated himself at Hadera's open-air market shortly before 4 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, October 26.

Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the attack, which occurred in front of a felafel stand at the entance to the seaside town's market. Hadera has been a frequent target of attacks during the past five years of violence.

The other victims killed in the bombing were Michael Kaufman, Pirhiya Machlouf, Sabiha Nissim, and Ya'acov Rahmani. A sixth victim, Genia Poleis, died of her wounds 11 days later.

Jamil Qa'adan had served for the past seven years as the Education Ministry's coordinator for training and advanced study in the Arab sector of the northern district. "He was a modest, quiet man, a first-rate professional who was loyal to the state and to his work," said the director of the northern district, Aharon Zveida. "We have lost a topnotch educator."

With Jamil's murder, the Qa'adan family suffered its third loss in recent months, following the deaths of his father and brother.

Ursan Idat, the ministry's inspector of Arab education in the northern district, noted that he had known Qa'adan for nearly 28 years. "It was important to him to improve the Arab educational system and to narrow the gaps," he said, "from an outlook that there should be equality between the peoples that live here, side by side. I hope that these are the last victims of this war. Jewish blood and Arab blood have mixed together on the earth that belongs to all of us."

Jamil Qa'dan was buried in Baka al-Gharbiya. He is suvived by his wife, Fatma, and five children.