I was thinking about this entry for some time and firstly would like to pay my respect to those that lost family members, loved ones or friends, not forgetting those injured in this terrorist incident.

This is the first time I have actually given my personal account on what I witnessed that day.  I can only describe it as the unleashing of evil venom that was released with recklessness and indifference unparalleled to anything ever seen in London’s history.

That day I was attending a two-day conference at the British Medical Association (BMA) as part of the graduate research group I’m a member of.  Most of us were settled in comfortably in the conference room, when I heard what could only be described a loud bang at around 9:40 am or so.  None of inside the conference room was aware that the sound we just heard was part of a coordinated attack on London, in fact most of us were unaware of other attacks taking place at this time. After twenty minutes or so we were informed that an “accident” involving a bus had taken place just a little way from us at Tavistock Square.  There were several doctors attending this conference as well as other conferences going on in the building, and the conference was suspended, so that those of medical training were able to lend assistance.

Those of us delegates remaining made our way to the lobby to have coffee, and my personal care attendant and I decided to go to the lobby as well were there was a television on, and news was spreading of other “incidents” taking place.  I must confess I was at this juncture fairly sure in my mind that we were under attack from terrorist upon hearing the news of these other so called “incidents” at other tube stations.  I have to confess I was somewhat worried at this time as the news coming in seemed to be beating around the bush and everyone else in the lobby was full of speculation.  I was fairly certain that the conference was clearly not going to continue as we decided to leave.

It was not until we got out on the street making our way to my van that I saw the horror of what was unfolding with my very eyes.  I was struck by the amount of people that actually were getting involved to lend assistance, but nothing had prepared me for the carnage I saw.  A year later, and I can still see the blood and human debris slatted on the wall.  It was literally nauseating.  We were really unable to going nowhere and ended up heading back into the BMA building as by this time the road was blocked off.  I ended up spending the whole afternoon there and had to make alternative arrangements as my van was behind the police cordon.

As a Jew with relatives in Israel, I was not unfamiliar with this tactic of suicide bombers; but I simply cannot convey the feeling one gets when confronted with such acts of violence first hand.  I had the privilege of meeting some of the families that were affected by this senseless act of terrorism on Friday, at a memorial service here in London on the day of its one-year anniversary, and was deeply struck by the sense of support, that people gave to each other. No matter what the grievance, I will never understand such acts of terrorisms. it leaves me shaking my head as I write this entry that people could allow themselves to build up such hate, that they have no fear in blowing themselves up and innocent people with such callous disregard for human life.

Attached Picture Note:  Among those who laid flowers to commemorate last year's attacks was George Psaradakis, the driver of the number 30 bus that was bombed in Tavistock Square.