By Marney Blom
Without warning, the first Jerusalem terrorist explosion in four years blasted an Egged bus stop late Wednesday, March 23, 2011. The attack took place during rush hour at a congested intersection across from the International Convention Center of Jerusalem, near the western entrance of the city.
As police searched for the man who left the bag that contained the bomb, 35 casualties were treated for injuries, with three in serious condition. The sole fatality was 59-year-old Mary Gardner of Scotland. Ms. Gardner, a translator for Home for the Bible, was in Jerusalem studying Hebrew to prepare to translate the Old Testament into a tribal language of the Togolese Republic of West Africa.
Eli Beer, president of United Hatzalah, a first responder on the scene described his experience. “When I got here the first thing I did was to check if there are any other terror threats, for instance if anyone has any explosions on them.”
Others like Chaim Cha Alfon, an eyewitness, who stood less that 15 meters from the blast were grateful to be alive. “I was sitting there waiting for the bus, all of a sudden a bomb blew, and [there was] shouting and crying. I lay on the ground and cried. God is watching [over] me… That is the only thing I can say.”
“I do feel a little bit scared now and I will be more aware [and] alert when I am here everyday.” said Smadar Bakovic, echoing the feelings of the many commuters who simply have no alternative but to use Israel’s Egged bus system to get to work.
Unfortunately this type of threat is not a rarity to the residents of Jerusalem.
“This area is in a big threat because this is the entrance to the city, this is the heart of Jerusalem,” noted Eli Beer. “We had these incidences years back every week. Right here we have had 18 buses blow up.”
Despite the trauma of the attack Israelis are not deterred. Bus service resumed almost immediately.
“It is a bit scary,” said Eli, a young adult who regularly commutes within the city. “But it will not make … one not get on the bus because… the best answer we have … is to keep on living.”
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