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Hannah Bledon, who was killed in Friday's stabbing attack

Jerusalem stabbing attack victim identified as 21 year-old British citizen

Hannah Bladon, 21, is the British student who was killed in the attack on the Jerusalem light rail at noon. She came to one semester of study at the Hebrew University as part of a student exchange program with the University of Birmingham, and was supposed to return to England in the summer.

The British student who was killed in a stabbing attack in Jerusalem on Friday is Hannah Bladon of England. She arrived at the Hebrew University as part of a student exchange program, for only one semester.

 

 

Bladon was killed after being stabbed multiple times in the chest in a terror attack at IDF Square on Jerusalem’s light rail on Friday afternoon.

 

Bladon, 21, came to Jerusalem from the University of Birmingham, where she studied theology and archeology. As part of the exchange program, she participated in courses at the Rothberg International School at the Hebrew University, including courses on the Bible, archeology and religion. She additionally studied Hebrew. She began her studies at the Hebrew University in late January, and was due to return to Britain at the end of this semester, during the summer.

 

Hannah Bladon, who was killed in Friday's attack (Photo: AP) (Photo: AP)
Hannah Bladon, who was killed in Friday's attack (Photo: AP)

Bladon, a Christian, was said to have been very interested in Judaism and religious studies in general. In January, she uploaded a photo of the Al-Aqsa Mosque to her Facebook page, writing beneath it, "Thanks guys. I'm ok thanks! Security is really tight on campus so no worries at mo! Managed to see a lot of sites before starting my classes today so defo having a great time! Xx"

 

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem expressed deep sorrow this evening over the murder and said it shared the family's sorrow. "The university condemns such acts of terror, murder and vandalism, which harm innocent people who came to Jerusalem to study and enrich their academic knowledge," read the statement.

 

Following the attack, a spokeswoman from the British Consulate stated, “We can confirm the tragic death of a British national in Jerusalem. We are providing support to her family at this difficult time and are in touch with local authorities.”

 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to the attack with a statement, saying that "Radical Islamic terrorism is striking capitals around the world. This time is struck Jerusalem. In the name of the entire People of Israel, I send my condolences to the victim's family."

 

Her attacker was arrested after a number of police officers managed to apprehend him. He was later identified as 57-year-old Jamil Tamimi from the Palestinian neighborhood of Ras al-Amud.

 

The investigation into the attack revealed that Tamimi boarded the light rail at the Nablus Gate station, riding the tram until Tzahal Square. Standing next to Bladon, he pulled out a knife and began stabbing her repeatedly.

 

An off-duty policeman from the Jerusalem division of the Israel Police who was with his family at the time recognized the incident as a error attack, pulled the emergency brake on the train and neutralized Tamimi while removing the knife. A civilian who was nearby aided the police officer.

 

At this point the train stopped, the doors were opened and the police force, which was deployed as part of the increased preparations in the city, entered the car and arrested the attackor and evacuated the other passengers.

 

"I went on the light rail with my family, and I heard shouts of 'attack, attack,'" said the officer who managed to stop Tamimi. "I immediately went over, pulled on the emergency brake, ran to the scene of the event, attacked the terrorist and took control of him, so he would not continue to harm any innocent people." 

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 04.14.17, 19:59
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