Ahmed Mazarib

Feb 18, 2002 - Policeman Ahmed Mazarib, 32, of the Bedouin village Beit Zarzir in the Galilee, was killed by a suicide bomber whom he had stopped for questioning on the Ma'ale Adumim-Jerusalem road.

The car was pulled over for a routine check. When it turned out to be a stolen vehicle, Ahmed drew his weapon. The terrorist activated the explosive detonator and the car blew up. Chief of Police Shlomo Aharonishki said that the car bomber was headed for central Jerusalem, and that "there is no doubt that Ahmed's courage prevented many casualties." The Fatah al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades claimed responsibility for the attack.

Ahmed Mazarib's family and friends were devastated by his death. They had just recently ended a 40-day-morning period after the death of his cousin, Maj. Ashraf Hawash, who was killed in a terrorist attack on an IDF post in the Gaza Strip on January 9.

Mazarib joined the police eight years ago and worked in the Jerusalem district. He was planning to be transferred to the Galilee division in the near future.

Ahmed Mazarib was buried in Beit Zarzir. He is survived by his wife, Dunia, and three daughters.