Latest hotel terrorist attack highlights security nightmare
The suicide attack on an Israeli hotel last week has once again shown how difficult it is for hotels to protect themselves from terrorist atrocities.
The attack last week on the 96-bedroom Park hotel in Netanya, north of Tel Aviv, was reportedly carried out by Abel-Basset Odeh, a 25-year-old hotel worker. At least 19 Israelis were killed in the explosion and 120 injured as they gathered to celebrate the Jewish Passover holiday.
Palestinian militant group Hamas claimed responsibility for the bombing. The bomber blew himself up as he mingled with guests heading through the lobby to the dining room of the hotel.
This latest terrorist attack comes just a week after delegates at Berlin's International Hotel Investment Forum heard that nearly half of all terrorist attacks on tourists in the past decade have taken place in hotels.
Last week's outrage is just the latest in Israel that has targeted hotels or restaurants.
In December a bomber blew himself up outside the 385-bedroom David Citadel hotel in Jerusalem and in October government minister Rehavam Ze'evi was gunned down in the 503-bedroom Jerusalem Hyatt.
- In a further suicide attack last weekend, 16 Israelis were killed in a roadside restaurant.
