St. Sgt. Avi Ben Harush

July 16, 2001 - St.Sgt. Avi Ben Harush, 20, of Zichron Yaakov, was killed when a bomb exploded in a suicide terrorist attack at a bus stop near the train station in Binyamina.

At about 19:30 on Monday evening, a suicide bomber exploded a bomb at a bus stop near the train station in Binyamina, halfway between Netanya and Haifa. Staff Sergeant Avi Ben Harush, who was fatally injured in the blast, died en route to hospital. Also killed in the explosion was Cpl. Hanit Arami. The Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the attack.

Avi, the second in a family of five children and a soldier in the Golani brigade, was on his way home on leave. He grew up in Zichron Yaakov where he attended the Javetz School. He completed his high school studies at a boarding school in Carmiel.

Relatives related that Avi loved life, loved the army, and especially loved the sea. His family is well-known in the small town of Zichron Yaakov. His father, Yehuda, a retired Border Guard officer, writes a column in a local newspaper.

Avi Ben Harush is to be buried in Zichron Yaakov.