Attorney Meir Schijveschuurder, who lost his parents and three siblings in the Sbarro Restaurant suicide bombing attack in Yerushalayim, was among those heard in the petitions to the Supreme Court seeking to stop the Gilad Shalit prisoner release deal. The petitions were presented today, Monday, 19 Tishrei, ahead of carrying out the prisoner release tomorrow, Tuesday.

The terror orphan questioned the government’s decision-making process, explaining that he lost five family members in the attack, yet the terrorist who planned the attack and drove the suicide bomber is being released.

On the other hand, Ahmad Sa’adat of the PFLP, who played a role in the assassination of Tourism Minister Rechavam Ze’evi HY”D will not be released.

“Did they just draw names” questioned Meir, seeking to understand the criteria for approving names for release, indicating there appears the process may be discriminatory. He added it appears the list was made as the result of numerous meetings between military officials and the father of Gilad Shalit, insisting the considerations in the process were a far cry from professional, questioning why a member of the bereaved families were excluded, since this would at least permit decision-makers to hear both sides.

Murdered in the Sbarro attack on August 9, 2001, were:

Giora Balash, 60, of Brazil
Tzvika Golombek, 26, of Carmiel
Shoshana Yehudit Greenbaum, 31, of the USTehila Maoz, 18, of JerusalemF
rieda Mendelsohn, 62, of Jerusalem
Michal Raziel, 16, of Jerusalem
Malka Roth, 15, of Jerusalem
Mordechai Schijveschuurder, 43, of Neria
Tzira Schijveschuurder, 41, of Neria
Ra’aya Schijveschuurder, 14, of Neria
Avraham Yitzhak Schijveschuurder, 4, of Neria
Hemda Schijveschuurder, 2, of Neria
Lily Shimashvili, 33, of Jerusalem
Tamara Shimashvili, 8, of Jerusalem
Yocheved Shoshan, 10, of Jerusalem

Over 130 people were wounded in the powerful suicide bombing attack.

The court is expected to make a decision in the coming hours.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)