The family of a British exchange student who died after being stabbed in Jerusalem have said they are “devastated” by the “senseless and tragic attack”.

Hannah Bladon, 20, was attacked on a tram on Friday afternoon, allegedly by a Palestinian man with a history of mental health issues.

Despite attempts to administer first aid, authorities said Bladon died at Hadassah hospital on Mount Scopus soon after she arrived.

In a joint statement issued via the Foreign Office, the family said the musician had been taking part in an archaeological dig that morning.

“Hannah was the most caring, sensitive and compassionate daughter you could ever wish for,” the statement said.

She was studying for a degree in religion, theology and archaeology at the University of Birmingham.



“At the time of her death she was part of a student exchange programme and was studying at the Rothberg International School at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem,” the statement said.

“Hannah was a talented musician, part of a serving team at her local church and a member of her local archaeological group. She was an enthusiastic rugby player and a keen Derby County supporter.

“She was driven and passionate and her death leaves so much promise unfulfilled. Our family are devastated by this senseless and tragic attack.”

An off-duty police officer pulled the tram’s emergency brake and tried to intervene after the man took a knife from a bag and stabbed Bladon multiple times in the chest.

A pregnant woman and a 50-year-old man were also injured when the tram came to a sudden stop.

Israel’s internal security agency, Shin Bet, named the arrested man as Jamil Tamimi, 57, from the Palestinian neighbourhood of Ras al-Amud in East Jerusalem.

The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, blamed “Islamic terrorism” for the killing.