Kinneret Boosany Interview: Transcript

While working in a Tel Aviv cafe, Kinneret Boosany was almost killed in a suicide bomb attack.  

While working in a Tel Aviv cafe, Kinneret Boosany was almost killed in a suicide bomb attack.  

Kevin spoke to Kinneret about her struggle to recover, her feelinigs about the bomber's mother, and why she is happier now than she was before the bombing.

You can watch the video, or if you are having trouble with the video player, read the transcript below. 

KINNERET: Well, it was 9:30, 9:30 or 10:00 so the coffee shop wasn't so crowded, thank God. He just said that someone came in, asked for a cup of coffee. Some say I gave it to him and then he blew himself up. Some say I went to make the coffee and then he blew himself up. I don't really know.

KEVIN SITES: Did they tell you anything about that person? Did they know who it was?

KINNERET: That we were the same age. He was also 23. That was it actually. At the time I think they interviewed his mom. That was something I think my sister told me. I really don't remember. Which they said that she was very happy that he did it. But, I completely don't believe her. I believe inside at night she is like every other mom, missing her child and wishing he was with her, giving her grandchildren. And, whether it's true or false, I don't care. That's what I believe in.

KS: But, was there a time afterwards where you wish you had died in that bombing?

KINNERET: No.

KS: Never?

KINNERET: No. There was a time, it was kind of the beginning. It was like a year, a year after, I called my doctor. I called in in tears. We became, of course, close friends. I asked him what can be done to the face, to the body? And I was literally crying like crazy. And he asked me, "Would you prefer that we won't save you? That we wouldn't save you?" And of course the answer was no. Definitely not.

KS: Why was it always that feeling for you, that your life was precious. How did you always maintain that?

KINNERET: Because for the whole time that I was in the coma, I was struggling for living. It's something that is hard to explain. It's something that...I'm not the only one who is saying that. You will hear similar stories from people that have been through that. It's kind of like you are fighting your own demons. Sort of, you are fighting yourself. When you first wake up that's the sad thing. In the beginning when you wake up, the only thing that is in your mind is thank God that I'm alive. I'm alive at any cost. I don't care what's going on with my body. I don't care for the consequences of that. I'm alive and that's what matters.

But the further you get from there - the danger of death point of view - you become more confused, you know? Because, the pressure of the material world is starting to affect you again. It's like you've been in a place much more holy. You only survive to live. You didn't care if you have legs, no legs, no eye, no skin. You don't care, as long as I'm alive. That's what matters. But as much as you start to come back to reality, which unfortunately reality is the material world. It's worship the money, worship the body. It becomes more confusing, hard, difficult. In Hebrew we say, in translation, like all the movies in your head start: How will I do it? How will I manage in the house? How will I find, you know, a partner? Or whatever. How will I get a job? What will I do? But in the beginning that's the beautiful thing. It doesn't matter.

KS: Tell me about that moment when you began to recover, and you came out of the coma?

KINNERET: It's not really a moment. There is no moment. But in the beginning before all the pressure came, it was clear to me this was the me that this is my lesson which God sent to me. It has nothing to do with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This is my private lesson. I need to go through that. Just a lesson, it's not something to make you feel better, or something. It's just a lesson. For me, Kinneret got burned. Kinneret died actually. Kinneret Haya was born.

KS: Did you ever feel any anger towards the Palestinians because of this?

No, No I feel angry at the suicide bombers, you know. Of course. But it's not really anger. It's more pity. I have no doubt that they've been through brainwash. It's a very sad situation that you are in a place that you are ready to give your life away, and some others.

I'm more happy with the person I am today than I was before the bombing.

KS: You're happier now? Why?

KINNERET: I'm more peaceful. More calm. Less need to look around for stuff elsewhere. Now if I feel a lack of something I know I need to go into me. Not there. It's all inside.

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