Malka Roth

Aug 9, 2001 - Malka (Malki) Roth, 15, of Jerusalem, was one of 15 people killed in a suicide bombing in the heart of Jerusalem, inside a crowded pizza restaurant.

Carrying the explosives in a bag strapped to his body, the terrorist entered the Sbarro pizzeria at the corner of King George Street and Jaffa Road in downtown Jerusalem just before 2 PM. The 5 kg.-10 kg. bomb, which was packed with nails, screws, and bolts, completely gutted the restaurant, which was full of lunchtime diners.

Malka immigrated to Israel with her family from Melbourne, Australia in 1988. Born in the middle of three older brothers and three younger sisters, one of whom is severely handicapped, Malka helped her mother caring for the handicapped child. Based on her experience with her handicapped sister, she volunteered to work with handicapped children.

Malki was a gifted musician who played the classical flute. She studied at the prominent Horev girls' school in Jerusalem. She and Michal Raziel, who was also killed in the explosion, had grown up together and were good friends from an early age. They were both members of the Ezra youth movement, and had stopped for lunch at the pizzeria on their way to an activity in Talpiot.

Malka Roth was buried in Jerusalem.