Israel and the PA Elections....

Israel and the PA Elections.... In a weird way, most of us knew we had this coming. Hamas winning the elections, and a majority control in Palestinian life. A terror organization running the government of the PA. We had it coming. Lisa (my gorgeous, loving wife) and I were involved in a suicide bombing on Sept 4, 1997. We were vacationing in Israel, spent time in the North in the Galilee, Tel Aviv, and our first day in the city of Jerusalem.

We were eating falafel in a restaraunt on Ben Yehuda Street....the heart of Jerusalem, and a pedestrian mall. Shops, Retailers, stands, McDonalds, and all the standards you would find in a mall....(but outdoor)

It was nearly 3 ' clock -- and the school children were just arriving with their backpacks in tow, to hang out on a sunny day, eat,sitting on the chairs, benches, and chatting....and just as 12-13 year old kids do...."chilling" - it was about 75 degrees.

We walked past them all, and into the restaraunt... I took special notice of all the smiles, giggling, and the familiarity of being back home...




Once we got in BANG-- the loudest noise I have ever heard....

The roof fell on us.

Darkness *

Silence *

Then another BANG --- the 2nd loudest noise I have ever heard -- (it was 15 feet away at the front of the establishment)

Silence *