Mike's Place
Encyclopedia
The Mike's Place suicide bombing was a Palestinian terrorist attack
on a bar
in Tel Aviv
, Israel
on April 30, 2003, killing three civilians and wounding 50.
In 1995, Assaf Ganzman, an Israeli blues musician, vocalist for band called SOBO became a owner of the bar after Vigodda returned to Canada.
In 1999, the bar moved to Jerusalem's Russian Compound and in 2005 to Jaffa Road
. In 2001, a second branch was opened in Tel Aviv
, next to the American Embassy. The Jerusalem branch closed on January 4, 2009 when the 19th century building in which it was housed was demolished.
, via the Allenby Bridge
.
In addition, after the attack it was revealed that the two assailants reached the scene of the attack from a nearby hotel where they had rented a room several hours earlier. A search was conducted in the assailants hotel room in which the investigators discovered an elastic belt, explosives and a map of downtown Tel Aviv
, on which several crowded venues, including Mike's Place, were clearly marked.
At 12:45 am on April 30, 2003, a suicide bomber of British citizenship approached Mike's Place and blew himself up at the entrance. The force of the blast killed three people and injured over 50 people. One of the wounded was security guard Avi Tabib, who managed to block the suicide bomber, preventing him from entering the bar and causing further fatalities.
, was supposed to carry out another attack but his explosive device failed to detonate. This second suicide bomber, whom may have been injured at that point from the explosion, threw away his explosive belt and fled the scene. He reached the David Intercontinental Hotel in the Menashiya
residential neighborhood of Jaffa
and struggled with the security guard at the entrance trying to steal his ID, but he did not manage to do so.
The body of the second suicide bomber was washed ashore on the Tel Aviv beachfront on May 12 and was eventually identified on May 19, 2003. It is unclear how he died.
An examination of the unexploded bomb discarded by Omar Khan Sharif showed that it had been hidden in a book and contained standard explosives.
and Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades claimed joint responsibility for the attack. In addition, Hamas spokesman identified the perpetrators as British Muslims Asif Muhammad Hanif, 22, from London
and Omar Khan Sharif, 27, from Derby
.
(ISM) office, and after chatting for 15 minutes with an ISM volunteer, the men joined a group of 20 people to lay flowers at the site of Rachel Corrie
's death for 10 minutes.
ISM said activists Hanif and Sharif appeared to be 'typical Brits.' An ISM volunteer reported that the bombers had been among a group of 'alternative tourists' who were offered tea when they paid an unscheduled visit to an ISM office on the way to a memorial for Rachel Corrie.
The Jerusalem branch appears in the film "The Holy Land", about a wayward Yeshiva
student. The director, Eitan Gorlin
, worked as one of the bar's first bartenders in 1994.
Palestinian political violence
Palestinian political violence refers to acts of violence undertaken to further the Palestinian cause. These political objectives include self-determination in and sovereignty over Palestine, the liberation of Palestine and establishment of a Palestinian state, either in place of both Israel and...
on a bar
Bar (establishment)
A bar is a business establishment that serves alcoholic drinks — beer, wine, liquor, and cocktails — for consumption on the premises.Bars provide stools or chairs that are placed at tables or counters for their patrons. Some bars have entertainment on a stage, such as a live band, comedians, go-go...
in Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv , officially Tel Aviv-Yafo , is the second most populous city in Israel, with a population of 404,400 on a land area of . The city is located on the Israeli Mediterranean coastline in west-central Israel. It is the largest and most populous city in the metropolitan area of Gush Dan, with...
, Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
on April 30, 2003, killing three civilians and wounding 50.
History of Mike's Place
In 1992, Michael Vigodda, a photojournalist, opened Mike's Place in downtown Jerusalem. Vigodda named the bar after another bar called "Mike's Place" located at the Carleton University Student's Center in Ottawa, Ontario. This was, in turned, named after former Canadian Prime Minister and statesman Lester B. "Mike" Pearson, a Nobel Peace Prize winner in 1957 for his role in defusing the Suez Crises.In 1995, Assaf Ganzman, an Israeli blues musician, vocalist for band called SOBO became a owner of the bar after Vigodda returned to Canada.
In 1999, the bar moved to Jerusalem's Russian Compound and in 2005 to Jaffa Road
Jaffa Road
Jaffa Road is one of the longest and oldest streets in Jerusalem. It crosses the city from east to west, from the Old City walls to downtown Jerusalem, the western portal of Jerusalem and the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway. It is lined with shops, businesses and restaurants...
. In 2001, a second branch was opened in Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv , officially Tel Aviv-Yafo , is the second most populous city in Israel, with a population of 404,400 on a land area of . The city is located on the Israeli Mediterranean coastline in west-central Israel. It is the largest and most populous city in the metropolitan area of Gush Dan, with...
, next to the American Embassy. The Jerusalem branch closed on January 4, 2009 when the 19th century building in which it was housed was demolished.
Preparations for the attack
After the attack it was revealed that the two assailants entered Israel from JordanJordan
Jordan , officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan , Al-Mamlaka al-Urduniyya al-Hashemiyya) is a kingdom on the East Bank of the River Jordan. The country borders Saudi Arabia to the east and south-east, Iraq to the north-east, Syria to the north and the West Bank and Israel to the west, sharing...
, via the Allenby Bridge
Allenby Bridge
The Allenby Bridge , also known as the King Hussein Bridge , is a bridge that crosses the Jordan River, and connects Jericho in the West Bank to the country of Jordan...
.
In addition, after the attack it was revealed that the two assailants reached the scene of the attack from a nearby hotel where they had rented a room several hours earlier. A search was conducted in the assailants hotel room in which the investigators discovered an elastic belt, explosives and a map of downtown Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv , officially Tel Aviv-Yafo , is the second most populous city in Israel, with a population of 404,400 on a land area of . The city is located on the Israeli Mediterranean coastline in west-central Israel. It is the largest and most populous city in the metropolitan area of Gush Dan, with...
, on which several crowded venues, including Mike's Place, were clearly marked.
The attack
Fatalities
- Ran Baron, 24, of Tel AvivTel AvivTel Aviv , officially Tel Aviv-Yafo , is the second most populous city in Israel, with a population of 404,400 on a land area of . The city is located on the Israeli Mediterranean coastline in west-central Israel. It is the largest and most populous city in the metropolitan area of Gush Dan, with...
- Dominique Caroline Hass, 29, of Tel AvivTel AvivTel Aviv , officially Tel Aviv-Yafo , is the second most populous city in Israel, with a population of 404,400 on a land area of . The city is located on the Israeli Mediterranean coastline in west-central Israel. It is the largest and most populous city in the metropolitan area of Gush Dan, with...
- Yanai Weiss, 46, of Holon
Failed second bombing
Immediately after the first attack another suicide bomber, also a British citizen, whom was carrying a concealed explosive beltExplosive belt
An explosive belt is an improvised explosive device, a belt or a vest packed with explosives and armed with a detonator, worn by suicide bombers...
, was supposed to carry out another attack but his explosive device failed to detonate. This second suicide bomber, whom may have been injured at that point from the explosion, threw away his explosive belt and fled the scene. He reached the David Intercontinental Hotel in the Menashiya
Menashiya
Menashiya or Manshiyya, was a residential neighborhood of Jaffa, Israel. It was located on the border between Jaffa and Tel Aviv. The neighborhood was demolished in order to build a central business district, but only some of the planned office buildings were constructed. Two buildings remain from...
residential neighborhood of Jaffa
Jaffa
Jaffa is an ancient port city believed to be one of the oldest in the world. Jaffa was incorporated with Tel Aviv creating the city of Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel. Jaffa is famous for its association with the biblical story of the prophet Jonah.-Etymology:...
and struggled with the security guard at the entrance trying to steal his ID, but he did not manage to do so.
The body of the second suicide bomber was washed ashore on the Tel Aviv beachfront on May 12 and was eventually identified on May 19, 2003. It is unclear how he died.
An examination of the unexploded bomb discarded by Omar Khan Sharif showed that it had been hidden in a book and contained standard explosives.
The perpetrators
After the attack the Palestinian militant groups HamasHamas
Hamas is the Palestinian Sunni Islamic or Islamist political party that governs the Gaza Strip. Hamas also has a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades...
and Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades claimed joint responsibility for the attack. In addition, Hamas spokesman identified the perpetrators as British Muslims Asif Muhammad Hanif, 22, from London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and Omar Khan Sharif, 27, from Derby
Derby
Derby , is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands region of England. It lies upon the banks of the River Derwent and is located in the south of the ceremonial county of Derbyshire. In the 2001 census, the population of the city was 233,700, whilst that of the Derby Urban Area was 229,407...
.
Subsequent related evets
Despite the events of that day, the bar reopened on Yom Haatzmaut, Israeli Independence Day.ISM visit controversy
On 25 April, five days before the attack, Hanif and Sharif had visited International Solidarity MovementInternational Solidarity Movement
The International Solidarity Movement is an organization focused on assisting the Palestinian cause in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict using nonviolent protests. It was founded in 2001 by Ghassan Andoni, a Palestinian activist; Neta Golan, an Israeli activist; Huwaida Arraf, a...
(ISM) office, and after chatting for 15 minutes with an ISM volunteer, the men joined a group of 20 people to lay flowers at the site of Rachel Corrie
Rachel Corrie
Rachel Aliene Corrie was an American member of the International Solidarity Movement . She was killed in the Gaza Strip by an Israel Defence Forces bulldozer when she was standing or kneeling in front of a local Palestinian's home, thus acting as a human shield, attempting to prevent the IDF from...
's death for 10 minutes.
ISM said activists Hanif and Sharif appeared to be 'typical Brits.' An ISM volunteer reported that the bombers had been among a group of 'alternative tourists' who were offered tea when they paid an unscheduled visit to an ISM office on the way to a memorial for Rachel Corrie.
Cultural references
A documentary called Blues by the Beach, about the Tel Aviv Mike's Place, the suicide attack at the bar, and the people affected by it, was directed by American-Israeli filmmaker Joshua Faudem and produced by Jack Baxter, who is a Catholic American who moved to Israel after making the film.The Jerusalem branch appears in the film "The Holy Land", about a wayward Yeshiva
Yeshiva
Yeshiva is a Jewish educational institution that focuses on the study of traditional religious texts, primarily the Talmud and Torah study. Study is usually done through daily shiurim and in study pairs called chavrutas...
student. The director, Eitan Gorlin
Eitan Gorlin
Eitan Gorlin is a filmmaker, author and actor. He is known for his portrayal of Martin Eisenstadt, a satirical depiction of a McCain campaign adviser...
, worked as one of the bar's first bartenders in 1994.
External links
- Suicide bomber kills 3 in Tel Aviv - published on CNNCNNCable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
on April 30, 2003 - Suicide bomber strikes Tel Aviv - published on BBC NewsBBC NewsBBC News is the department of the British Broadcasting Corporation responsible for the gathering and broadcasting of news and current affairs. The department is the world's largest broadcast news organisation and generates about 120 hours of radio and television output each day, as well as online...
on April 30, 2003 - Tel Aviv bombers 'were British' - published on The GuardianThe GuardianThe Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
on April 30, 2003 - Tel Aviv Suicide Bombers Were Brits - published on Sky NewsSky NewsSky News is a 24-hour British and international satellite television news broadcaster with an emphasis on UK and international news stories.The service places emphasis on rolling news, including the latest breaking news. Sky News also hosts localised versions of the channel in Australia and in New...
on April 30, 2003 - Suicide Bomber Hits Tel Aviv Nightclub - published on the Milwaukee Journal SentinelMilwaukee Journal SentinelThe Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is a daily morning broadsheet printed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. It is the primary newspaper in Milwaukee, the largest newspaper in Wisconsin and is distributed widely throughout the state...
on April 30, 2003 - Mike's Place web site
- Blues by the Beach
- Details of April 30- 2003 Tel Aviv suicide bombing - published at the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs