Avi Yazdi

Jan 17, 2002 - Avi Yazdi, 25, of Hadera 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.

Avi Yazdi was born and educated in Hadera. A bank employee recently commended for his work, he helped out in the evenings as an unarmed security guard at the David Palace hall, owned by his father-in-law. He was the first person hit when the terrorist opened fire. Just four months ago, he married his wife, Yasmin, at the same hall in Hadera. Yasmin, who was also at the hall that evening helping out as bartender, managed to hide behind the bar.

The newly-wed couple were living in Yasmin's parents' house in Or Akiva, in a separate unit prepared especially for them. They were planning a honeymoon in Barcelona next month. Avi Yazdi was buried in Hadera. He is survived by his wife, parents, and sister.