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The scene of the suicide bombing at Bialik Cafe in Tel Aviv. (Archives)
Last update - 16:06 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.

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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.

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  1.   Great illustration of loyalty of Arab Israeli`s to fellow Jews 14:56  |  arthur 03/10/06
  2.   Israeli Arabs don`t suport such actions 15:50  |  Rami 03/10/06
  3.   To # 1 and others on LOYALTY 15:54  |  Rami 03/10/06
  4.   Kafr Qasem Resident 15:56  |  leon 03/10/06
  5.   Big deal! 16:13  |  james 03/10/06
  6.   Rami # 3 16:29  |  ChanahS 03/10/06
  7.   # 5 Big Deal James 16:31  |  ChanahS 03/10/06
  8.   What`s your point James? 16:31  |  Margie in Tel Aviv 03/10/06
  9.   Zionist Democracy. 16:34  |  Clickfool 03/10/06
  10.   #9 Clickfool 16:52  |  Itsik 03/10/06
  11.   Most Arabs in Israel prefer living here 17:01  |  Margie in Tel Aviv. 03/10/06
  12.   Rami you`r right but what about 63% or more supporting Hezbollah? 17:02  |  arthur 03/10/06
  13.   clickfool your days on this forum are numbered foolish sheepfxxer 17:04  |  arthur 03/10/06
  14.   clickfool your days on this forum are numbered foolish sheepfxxer 17:04  |  arthur 03/10/06
  15.   to ChanahS 17:36  |  Rami 03/10/06
  16.   #10 Clickfoot 17:36  |  Johnson 03/10/06
  17.   rami 21:51  |  bev 03/10/06
  18.   Not necessarily loyalty... 22:06  |  krystal 03/10/06
  19.   Bev & Integration 22:16  |  Rami 03/10/06
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