Dina Binayev

Jan 17, 2002 - Dina Binayev, 48, of Ashkelon 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.

Dina Binayev, a friend of Nina's mother, attended the bat-mitzva celebration. At first, when she heard the shots, Dina thought it was fireworks. She got up to see the show, and was shot. Even on her way to the hospital, she did not know the seriousness of her injury and thought she just had a headache. She died on the operating table.

The Binayev family immigrated to Israel from the Caucasus in 1994, settling in Ashkelon. Dina's husband Boris drove her to the bat-mitzva, but did not enter, because he was in mourning over the death of his brother. "If I would have been there, I would have protected her with my body," he said. Their only daughter, Madeleine, planned to be married in March.

Dina Binayev was buried in Ashkelon. He is survived by her husband and daughter.