Last update - 00:00 03/10/2006
Kafr Qasem resident admits to driving bomber in TA attack
By Roni Singer-Heruti, Haaretz Correspondent
The Shin Bet security service have arrested a resident of the Israeli Arab town of Kafr Qasem who admits to having driven a suicide bomber and his accomplice from the village to Petah Tikva in March 2002, according to new data revealed on Tuesday.
The bomber then traveled from Petah Tikva to Tel Aviv and carried out a deadly attack at the "My Coffee Shop" cafe on Bialik Street in the city, in which one woman was killed and dozens were wounded.
The driver, Islam Badir, was located after security forces arrested the bomber's accomplice. Around a month and a half ago, police arrested Raed Abu Saris, a 28-year-old resident of Nablus, on charges of residing in Israel illegally.
Abu Saris admitted during questioning that he had followed Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades orders to accompany the terrorist from Nablus in the West Bank into Tel Aviv.
Badir and Abu Saris had been involved in illegal activity together before, and Abu Saris approached Badir, asking him if he would agree to drive the bomber and himself to Petah Tikva.
Following the investigation into Abu Saris' involvement in the attack, the Shin Bet located Badir, who is currently serving jail time for other offenses.
Badir also confessed during questioning, saying he had driven the bomber and Abu Saris from Kafr Qasem to Petah Tikva.
According to Badir's testimony, Abu Saris had told him the two passengers intended to engage in illegal activity but had not indicated that they wanted to carry out a terror attack.
But during the drive, Badir began to suspect the two intended to carry out an attack. He confronted the two and asked whether this was true and they confirmed his suspicions.
Nonetheless, Badir dropped the bomber and his accomplice at their destination in Petah Tikva and returned to Kafr Qasem, without alerting security forces of the matter.
Abu Saris and the bomber caught a taxi in Petah Tikva and made their way to Tel Aviv. The terrorist arrived at the "My Coffee Shop" cafe' at a time when most of those present were watching a soccer match on television.
The suicide attack killed Rachel Charkhi, 37, of Bat Yam, and 28 others were wounded. The coffee shop was entirely destroyed.