Shimon Ben-Aroya

Mar 27, 2002 - Shimon Ben-Aroya, 42, of Netanya was one of 28 people killed in a suicide bombing in the Park Hotel in the coastal city of Netanya, in the midst of the Passover holiday seder.

On the eve of Passover, the terrorist w, located in the center of Netanya, where 250 guests had just sat down to begin the seder. He detonated an explosive device, killing 22 immediately and injuring 140, six of whom died later. The bomber was identified as a member of the Hamas Iz a Din al-Kassam Brigades, from the West Bank city of Tulkarem, which is just 10 kilometers (six miles) east of Netanya. He was on the list of wanted terrorists Israel had requested be arres

Shimon Ben-Aroya, killed in the blast, was at the Park Hotel to celebrate the Passover seder together with many members of his family. His wife Corrine was seriously injured in the blast. Their three children were also injured, as were Corrine's parents, Gabi and Rachel Shimla, Corrine's brother Eli Shimla, his wife Sigalit and their four children - the youngest, Gabriel, 5, was seriously injured.

Shimon worked over 20 years for the municipality of Netanya, 15 of them in the Sanitation Department. "Whenever I gave him a job, I knew I had someone I could depend on. He was an outstanding worker, industrious, intelligent, very special. He loved to work and barely missed a day of work," said his work manager.

Shimon Ben-Aroya was buried in Netanya. He leaves behind his wife and three children - the eldest daughter, a soldier, Hila (13), and his son Elad (9).