Jerusalem bombing
There has been a bombing in Jerusalem, right near the Central Bus Station and “the Binyanei Ha’umah (National Convention Center). There was some confusion at first, with reports of a suicide bomber on a bus. Eventually the reality emerged that it was a bomb in a bag left by a telephone booth, which according to reports was activated by remote control from a mobile phone.
Bus no. 74
We thought that a post-Purim miracle had occurred but sadly news reaches us that one woman has been killed.
Three were injured seriously from the explosion itself, four moderately from shrapnel packed into the explosive device and the remainder in moderate to light condition.
The 31 injured were taken to Hadassah Ein Kerem, Hadassah Mount Scopus, Bikur Holim and Shaare Tzedek hospitals. All hospitals in the area were opened to receive casualties. One woman, 59, died from injuries sustained in the blast.
The bus that was hit as the bomb was exploded is the no. 74, the bus my daughter takes to and from her sherut leumi (National Service) work in Bikur Holim hospital. Thank G-d she worked a bit late today so she wasn’t on the bus. Of course, now she’s stuck there until the buses are up and running again and the roads reopened. Her apartment is just behind the Binyanei Ha’umah (National convention center) . The kiosk where it happened is where she gets on and off the bus every day.
A 'blast' of a kiosk
The only lighter side of this story is that the kiosk is called פיצוץ של קיוסק – “a blast of a kiosk”. Be careful what you wish for!
My daughter’s now very scared of going home. Many years ago (33 to be precise) I was on a bus that was bombed, although thank G-d I walked away with not a scratch. However it took me quite a while to be able to get back on a bus. In the end my best friend insisted that I can’t just walk everywhere or stay home, so she took me by the hand and forced me onto a bus, right into the back where the bomb had been. We sat there for 2 bus stops till my shaking legs wouldn’t hold me any more. But it broke my fear and after that I was able to travel by bus again. I still don’t love buses, and I’m not happy at all in crowded places but I manage.
So I gave of my wisdom and experience to my daughter. I’m sure she’ll be OK. To be honest I’m at least as terrified as her but I don’t dare tell her. It’s one thing to be frightened for yourself, a whole different ball game to be scared for your children.
Anne's Opinions 
Reuters:
And what is Reuter’s term for it?
A couple of sentences later:
I wonder if the irony is completely lost on them.
Police described the explosion as a “terrorist attack” — Israel’s term for a Palestinian strike.
I can’t believe they had the gall to actually write that. As if Israel’s classification of terrorism is not credible. Disgusting! We should write a complaint to Reuters.
Or not. Is there any point in bothering?
Well, I wrote to Reuters: editor@reuters.com. Here is the text of my letter:
Not holding my breath for an answer. Or a correction.
Surprise. Not. My email to the editor bounced. I wrote the same letter on Reuters contact form here: http://reuters-en.custhelp.com/app/ask.
did you get an answer? Last week after the Itamar attack on all the foreign news broadcasts not one mentioned a terrorist attack , nor did they at first mention a family in bed with 3 small children. Till people protested all they said was 5 Israelis killed(not murdered ) as if they were in a car accident (not that thats not awful too) . As soon as we killed yesterday a family of palestinians in gaza the whole world blows a fuse & Netanyahu apologises! Why? did they apologise for sending over 50 grads? I don’t understand the government! (well who does) Why isn’t there a spokesperson who says if you fire grads be warned we’ll fire back good & hard & whatever happens happens. The more we apologise the more the world will turn against us . If we’re strong maybe someone out there will respect us & if not at least we’ll have our self respect & maybe they’ll fear us enough to back off (wishful thinking)
No, no answer yet, just an auto-reply. I’m not holding my breath, though apparently Elder of Ziyon reports that American Reuters has amended their site, so perhaps the UK Reuters will do so too.
You’re quite right about the reporting of the Itamar murders, and the world’s reaction to Israel’s retaliation and/or preventive measures. Thus it has always been and I fear always will be. We must not let them get away with it. We must complain, write letters, talkbacks, whatever. If we don’t react they’ll think it’s OK to write about us like that. We must call them (the international media) out on their behaviour every chance we have. Don’t be embarrassed, what is there to lose?
And of course I agree with you 100% on Israel’s and Netanyahu’s reaction. I don’t suppose you’re free to be Foreign Minister? Please?
annie, did you see this?
’nuff said.
Yes, I just saw it. I’m struggling to keep up with all the bloggers and news today.
Did you see this http://www.britishmuslimsforisrael.com/BMFI/Welcome.html ?
(h/t Harry’s Place).
“British Muslims for Israel” condemn the terrorist bombing. And yes, they do say “terrorist attack.”
Occasionally my faith in humanity is restored a little bit.
British Muslims for Israel are amazing. They truly are brave, risking social ostracism and not to mention physical harm.
By the way, did you see this post from Yaacov Lozowick? He explains the history of the “Pitzutz” kiosk’s name. Funny in an Israeli kind of way. 🙂
Even Jeffrey Goldberg, no right winger, writing on The Atlantic website, had this to say to, and about, Reuters:
http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2011/03/dear-reuters-you-must-be-kidding/72940/
They really goofed this time, or alternatively – exposed their true bias!
I’ll go with “true bias”. If they had goofed they’d have corrected it by now. Kol Hakavod to Goldberg, but he is one of the “sane left”, not the loony left. Wish there were more like him.
Don’t know if you have seen this, Annie. She speaks much of what you say here. But mainly I’m linking to alert you to… “Giulio Meotti, the author of a staggering work: A New Shoah: The Untold Story of Israel’s Victims of Terrorism.” At least someone is attempting to place an identity to the innocent victims of such barbaric slaughter.
Yes, I have read about Meotti’s book. It had a big review and write-up in the Jerusalem Post recently. Thanks for the link.
Somehow I knew my link wouldn’t ‘take’.
http://ricochet.com/main-feed/Israel-s-Capote
And thanks for sharing the story of your daughter and your own. It is good to hear directly from those effected by such evil.
Annie, it seems this news has been ‘buried’ by imprtant stories, like Charlie Sheen selling out 2 Carnegie Hall appearances.
After all, what is one more dead Jew?
Dear Anne,
I remember that bus bomb in 1978, and remember trying to get hold of you – difficult at the time with no cellphones ….
You said to your mum at the time that “if it has my name on it, it will find me wherever I am”, as she was scared about you being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
I try to think of that when I’m scared for my kids, but it doesn’t really help much 😦
Love, D.
Hi Debs, It’s funny, I didn’t remember saying that to my mum until you mentioned it now. And yet it’s so much easier to say that regarding ourselves, and so much harder to accept when it’s our own children חס ושלום.
And we make deals with ourselves don’t we? Don’t go to the mall but go by bus to another town. Or go by car to another town but their mall is OK. Don’t go by car to the shtachim but it’s OK by bus – all those little calculations and second guesses. I thought it was all past us, but it looks like it’s coming back. 😦
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