Ernest Weiss

Mar 27, 2002 - Ernest Weiss, 80, of Petah Tikva was one of 30 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 walked into the dining room of the hotel, 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, eight of whom subsequently died. 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 arrested.

Ernest and Eva Weiss were in concentration camps in World War II, and married in 1946 in Romania. In 1964 the couple came to Israel and settled in Petah Tikva. Ernest was in the diamond business, Eva was a homemaker. They had no children.

Since Eva's mother died five years ago, the couple started celebrating the Seder at hotels, and in the last three years chose the Park Hotel. Both were killed together with their good friend George Yakobovitz, who was at the same table.

Ernest Weiss was laid to rest in Petah Tikva alongside his wife Eva.