Israeli 'hero' recounts suicide attack
By: Anthony Glynn
Issue date: 12/5/07 Section: On Campus
Dubbed a "hero" by news organizations, a former restaurant security guard described the events surrounding a 2003 suicide bomb attack in Israel that critically injured him and killed several others to around 30 students Nov. 13.
The Jewish Student Union brought Tabib to speak at Hillel and present his story of the bombing. Several students described his presentation as inspirational.
Junior history major Rachel Finkelstein, who had been to the almost identical Mike's Place in Jerusalem, said she thoroughly enjoyed the discussion.
"It was an inspiration to hear him because he had put himself in danger for other people's protection," she said. "He had a sense of humor which allowed him to convey this very serious topic in a semi-light manner."
Junior media studies major Taryn Ariel also said she liked how Tabib personalized his discussion. He treated it more like a chat than a presentation, she said.
Most of the audience said they had visited Israel, but Ariel lived there for two years and also visited Mike's Place in Jerusalem. Hearing the Israeli perspective was refreshing for her and informative for those who had not lived there, she said.
"I think it's great experience for Americans," she said. "In the U.S. you don't get the full picture. You hear that a bomb went off but…they're kind of like numbers."
The bombing occurred April 30, 2003, just yards away from Mike's Place, an American style restaurant and bar. The attack killed three and wounded about 50, according to reports. The bomber's partner failed to explode his own bomb, fled the scene and was found dead twelve days later.
As Tabib was guarding the popular restaurant at about 1 a.m. that night, he noticed Asif Muhammad Hanif, with what Tabib called "crazed eyes," walk around a crowd as he approached the restaurant.
Tabib stopped Hanif, but Hanif tried pushing his way into the restaurant. Tabib pushed Hanif to the street, where his bomb exploded. Tabib left with multiple broken bones and burns.
The Jewish Student Union brought Tabib to speak at Hillel and present his story of the bombing. Several students described his presentation as inspirational.
Junior history major Rachel Finkelstein, who had been to the almost identical Mike's Place in Jerusalem, said she thoroughly enjoyed the discussion.
"It was an inspiration to hear him because he had put himself in danger for other people's protection," she said. "He had a sense of humor which allowed him to convey this very serious topic in a semi-light manner."
Junior media studies major Taryn Ariel also said she liked how Tabib personalized his discussion. He treated it more like a chat than a presentation, she said.
Most of the audience said they had visited Israel, but Ariel lived there for two years and also visited Mike's Place in Jerusalem. Hearing the Israeli perspective was refreshing for her and informative for those who had not lived there, she said.
"I think it's great experience for Americans," she said. "In the U.S. you don't get the full picture. You hear that a bomb went off but…they're kind of like numbers."
The bombing occurred April 30, 2003, just yards away from Mike's Place, an American style restaurant and bar. The attack killed three and wounded about 50, according to reports. The bomber's partner failed to explode his own bomb, fled the scene and was found dead twelve days later.
As Tabib was guarding the popular restaurant at about 1 a.m. that night, he noticed Asif Muhammad Hanif, with what Tabib called "crazed eyes," walk around a crowd as he approached the restaurant.
Tabib stopped Hanif, but Hanif tried pushing his way into the restaurant. Tabib pushed Hanif to the street, where his bomb exploded. Tabib left with multiple broken bones and burns.
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