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The release of a terrorist responsible for the death of a Vancouver dentist as part of a controversial prisoner swap is reopening painful wounds for the woman's family, who say it's unfair that her killer is being given his freedom.
Abdel Hadi Ghanem is among the 1,027 Palestinians -- including some behind attacks on Israelis -- freed today as part of a deal to release Israeli soldier, Staff Sgt. Gilad Shalit.
Shalit was captured by Hamas-backed militants in a 2006 cross-border raid.
Ghanem was sentenced to 16 consecutive life sentences after he commandeered a bus headed to Jerusalem and drove it off a cliff on July 6, 1989.
One of the 16 victims was Shelley Wolochow, a Vancouver dentist just shy of her 33rd birthday. Wolochow was with her sister Eve when the bus veered off the road and plunged into a ravine.
Ruth Wolochow, Shelley's mother, said she respects the difficult decision the Israeli government had to make to release Ghanem.
"Our whole family is very thrilled for the Shalit family, who have their beloved son back with them and I can understand how they feel and our thoughts have been with them for the past five years," the 83-year-old told CTV News.
But Wolochow said the news reopens old wounds.
"This latest event today was really opening that gash very deep," she said.
"It's hard to reconcile the fact that a terrorist who is supposed to be serving 16 life sentences has freedom and the innocent families whose were still grieving and are still bruised forever will never have freedom from their pain."
Days before the attack, Wolochow flew with her mother and sister to Israel to support her father Bud as he participated in the Maccabiah Games. Bud was competing for Canada as a target shooter.
Shelley, who had just finished working for five years in her private practice, was making arrangements to do volunteer work in Israel in a remote area that did not have a dentist.
Shelley and Eve booked a bus trip to Jerusalem so Shelley could finalize her volunteer arrangements -- and to spend the Jewish Sabbath with relatives.
The bus was so packed that the sisters were forced to sit apart, with Shelley at the back and Eve at the front.
Eve was ejected from the bus when Ghanem overpowered the bus driver and steered it off the road. Her sister was killed instantly.
Ruth Wolochow describes hearing the news as the worst moment in her life.
"To find out that one daughter was instantly killed, and you're in total grief and in the next moment you find out that another daughter has been injured but has survived. So you have those polar emotions at once and it's the worst experience you can imagine," she said.
It is believed the bus crash was the first attempt at a suicide attack by a Palestinian Islamic jihadist. Ghanem, then just 23, recovered in the same Israeli hospital where Eve was being treated for her injuries.
Ruth Wolochow said her family is trying to remain optimistic, but it's hard to feel good about the release.
"You can't help but feeling a little anger or resentment or wondering why a terrorist is free and gets a hero's welcome at home while the families that he destroyed will never have freedom from their grief," she said.
The victim's mother describes her daughter as a wonderful human being who dedicated her life to her friends and family, and helping others.
"There wasn't anything she touched that didn't end up perfectly. She was a wonderful family member, marvelous daughter, loving sister, wonderful aunt. She was good at so many things," she said.
On Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent a letter to the families of the victims whose killers were sent free during the trade, sending his condolences.
"I know that you have a heavy heart and that your wounds have been opened these past days; that your thoughts are not at ease," he wrote. "During these moments I hope you will find solace that I and the entire national of Israel embrace you and share your pain."
