The Bombing of Hebrew University's Frank Sinatra Cafeteria: July 31st, 2002

Nitsana Darshan-Leitner, Esq..
Shurat HaDin - Israel Law Center..
31 July '12..

Ten years ago today, on July 31st, 2002, Palestinian terrorists planted a devastating bomb in Hebrew University's Frank Sinatra Cafeteria. Numerous students and faculty were murdered in the attack, including several Americans. The attack was perpetrated by terrorists who had received funding, resources and safe haven from the Palestinian Authority (PA). Although the bomb maker, the arch-terrorist Abdullah Barghouti, was being hunted by Israel, he was hidden in a safe house by PA officials after they had released him from jail. The PA continued to assist Barghouti to remain free.

We brought suit against the PA and PLO for their role in aiding and abetting the Hebrew University cafeteria bombing. This month, we sought to take the deposition of Abdullah Barghouti who is serving multiple life sentences in an Israeli prison. After cursing at the other lawyers and myself, Barghouti refused to answer our questions, even after we had the Jerusalem Court order him to testify. Nonetheless, we decided to press on with the case against the Palestinian Authority and the PLO without Barghouti's testimony.

Hebrew U. archaeologist discovers Jerusalem city wall possibly built by King Solomon

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
News release
IMRA
22 February '10

Jerusalem, February 22, 2010 - A section of an ancient city wall of Jerusalem from the tenth century B.C.E. - possibly built by King Solomon -- has been revealed in archaeological excavations directed by Dr. Eilat Mazar and conducted under the auspices of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

The section of the city wall revealed, 70 meters long and six meters high, is located in the area known as the Ophel, between the City of David and the southern wall of the Temple Mount.

Uncovered in the city wall complex are: an inner gatehouse for access into the royal quarter of the city, a royal structure adjacent to the gatehouse, and a corner tower that overlooks a substantial section of the adjacent Kidron valley.



The excavations in the Ophel area were carried out over a three-month period with funding provided by Daniel Mintz and Meredith Berkman, a New York couple interested in Biblical Archeology. The funding supports both completion of the archaeological excavations and processing and analysis of the finds as well as conservation work and preparation of the site for viewing by the public within the Ophel Archaeological Park and the national park around the walls of Jerusalem.

The excavations were carried out in cooperation with the Israel Antiquities Authority, the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, and the Company for the Development of East Jerusalem. Archaeology students from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem as well as volunteer students from the Herbert W. Armstrong College in Edmond, Oklahoma, and hired workers all participated in the excavation work.

"The city wall that has been uncovered testifies to a ruling presence. Its strength and form of construction indicate a high level of engineering", Mazar said. The city wall is at the eastern end of the Ophel area in a high, strategic location atop the western slop of the Kidron valley.

(Read full article)
.