Less than 24 hours after Palestinians in the Gaza Strip fired a Katyusha rocket into a crowded health clinic in Ashkelon on May 14, B'nai B'rith leaders made a solidarity visit to the city of 125,000 – one of Israel's largest urban and industrial centers. Fifteen people were wounded in the attack, four seriously, including a mother and toddler who suffered massive shrapnel wounds, and 90 were treated for shock. B'nai B'rith International President Moishe Smith, Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin, B'nai B'rith Canada Executive Vice President Frank Dimant, and World Center Director Alan Schneider left the Israeli Presidential Conference to travel to Ashkelon, located on Israel's southern Mediterranean coast, to view the site of the attack, visit the wounded, and meet with the mayor and other city officials.
The attack came as President George W. Bush began his visit to Israel in celebration of the country's 60th anniversary. In a meeting with the BBI leaders, Ashkelon Mayor Roni Mehatzri expressed the frustration of the city's residents with the attacks that began in 2006.
The B'nai B'rith delegation toured the Barzilai Medical Center and brought gifts and well wishes to Gabi Shvili and Eli Baranes who were wounded in the attack, and to the emergency room staff.
Photo: Mariaschin and Smith with Baranes at Barzilai Medical Center
