In the immediate aftermath of the July 18 Burgas bombing of a bus with Israeli tourists, I wrote that the victims were thought to be seven. This happened to be true: five Israelis, the Bulgarian bus driver and the perpetrator himself died in the carnage. Because it is not reasonable to count terrorist suicide murderers as victims of their own attacks, I should refuse the number to six. Yet they are still seven because the only female victim - Kochava Shriki (name pronounced "Koshava", age given 42 or 44 by different sources, from Rishon Lezion) was pregnant at last, after 4 years of fertility treatment.
Amir Menashe (28) was married, with a 10-month-old son. His friend Itzik Kolengi, or Kolangi (28) was married, with a 4-month-old daughter. Their wives were injured; happily, the babies were left at home. Amir and Itzik were from Petah Tikva, the same city where a decade ago suicide bomber attacked an ice-cream parlour, apparently targeting young Jewish children and killing an 18-month-old girl and her grandmother.
Elior Priess, or Price (25) and Maor Harush (25) were friends from Akko (Acre).
They all were young, happy people who should have lived for many more years. They came to Bulgaria to enjoy the summer and the sea in peace. My country, while having many drawback, is known to be peaceful. I am sad that it betrayed its guests in such a tragic way.
2 comments:
Bulgaria is truly a beautiful country. I felt very safe the two times I was there in the past year. Everyone was very kind and helpful. I hope to one day be able to go back to Bulgaria.
I hope you will be able to do it, with Maria. Best wishes to both of you!
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