Anatoly Bakshayev

Jan 17, 2002 - Anatoly Bakshayev, 63, of Or Akiva was one of six people killed when a terrorist burst into a bat-mitzva reception in a banquet hall in Hadera shortly before 23:00, opening fire with an M-16 assault rifle.

On Thursday night, a terrorist entered the David Palace hall on Weizmann Avenue in Hadera and began spraying the 180 guests celebrating the bat-mitzva of 12-year-old Nina Kardashova with automatic gunfire. The terrorist, who also carried grenades, was pushed outside by guests and killed by police who quickly arrived at the scene.

Anatoly Bakshayev was sitting near the entrance to the hall with his daughter and her husband. When the terrorist entered and opened fire, Anatoly placed himself between him and his son-in-law, Eliyahu, and was shot and killed. Victoria, Anatoly's daughter, said, "My father is the kind of man who would do such a deed, saving Eliyahu. He cares for friends and relatives more than he does for himself. Now, I feel emptiness. I got a husband as a present, but I lost a father."

Anatoly Bakshayev, who worked as a carpenter in Pardes Hanna, immigrated to Israel from the Caucasus in 1991 together with his wife Rosa and their daughter Victoria. He settled at first in Netanya and in 1994 moved to Or Akiva, near his cousin, Edward Bakshayev, who was also killed in the attack. Edward and Anatoly were married to two sisters - Edward marrying Nina Kardashova's grandmother, Anna.

Anatoly Bakshayev was buried in Or Akiva. He is survived by his wife, his daughter, and three grandchildren.