Ilan Avisidris

Feb 22, 2004 - Ilan Avisidris, 40, of Jerusalem was one of eight persons murdered and more than 60 wounded by a Palestinian suicide bomber on a No. 14A Egged bus opposite the capital's Liberty Bell Park.

The attack took place at about 8:30 a.m. as the crowded, rush-hour bus was making its way downtown. The Fatah Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades claimed responsibility for the attack, which was carried out by Muhammad Za'ul, from the Bethlehem area. He had boarded the bus undetected and was overlooked by two security inspectors who boarded after him and alighted before he detonated the explosives he was carrying in a backback.

Ilan Avisidris was born and raised in Beersheba, but lived in Jerusalem ever since his divorce 12 years ago. "Ilan was searching for himself after going through many crises," a cousin related.

Avisidris divorced after three years of marriage and the birth of a son. His parents had divorced when he was a child and his father moved to France. Following the death of his mother six years ago, Avisidris underwent an ongoing crisis, according to the cousin.

"He traveled around the country, he had no fixed address," said the cousin. "He worked here and there. There was no close contact. The poor guy was searching for himself and sort of got lost. He was a good person, delicate. He always helped others and always got left with nothing."

One of his oldest friends in Beersheba said of Avisidris: "He was a good person, but he never had any luck."

Ilan Avisidris was buried in the Beersheba Cemetery. He is survived by his father, Eli, and a son, 15.