Subscribe to Print Edition | Thu., July 24, 2008 Tamuz 21, 5768 | | Israel Time: 16:22 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
  Back to Homepage
Rosner's Domain
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File
Last update - 22:52 22/07/2008
'All the terrorist wanted to do was to kill Jews'
By Haaretz Service and News Agencies
Tags: Israel, bulldozer attack 

Within minutes of the bulldozer attack in central Jerusalem, many locals and tourists on the city's King David Street were debating whether the terrorist's actions were inspired by the expected arrival of U.S. presidential hopeful Barack Obama, or if it was simply an imitation of the similar incident two weeks ago.

"I don't think the terrorist cares who sleeps here tonight, all he wanted to do is kill Jews," said Paul Packer, of Long Island, New York. Packer had come to Jerusalem for a business trip and stayed in an apartment near the site where an East Jerusalem resident rammed a bulldozer into passing vehicles, injuring at least 24 people, mere yards from the hotel where Obama was to stay later in the day.

Watching the scene being cleared, he added, "I think they should leave the truck here so Obama can see what Jews and Israelis are facing every day."
Advertisement
"It was just a matter of time until there is a copy cat," said James Kennedy, a student at Tufts University in Boston who currently studies at the Hebrew University. His friend Jacob Abolafia believes the location of the attack was no accident: "We're between the King David and the Inbal hotel, where all the important people stay. Maybe there was a message that the terrorist wanted to send us."

Kenneth Hanson, a professor of Judaic studies from Orlando, Florida, had organized an Israel trip for his students, who were staying in the nearby Prima Royale Hotel on Tuesday. He insisted that despite the attacks, he had no plans to relocate. "Maybe somebody wanted to make a statement: You come here to support Israel, Mr. Obama, well, we have something else to tell you."

Other witnesses said Tuesday that the driver of the bulldozer had targeted pedestrians and vehicles before he was shot dead by a civilian and a Border Policeman.

"[The driver] tried to bring the blade of the bulldozer on the head of a pedestrian, but missed her by an inch," said one eyewitness. "At first I thought it was an accident, but then he kept going in a zigzag down the slope of King David Street, overturned a car and hit a few cars. The whole thing happened very quickly.

"One car flipped over and others were crushed. I started running in the direction of the tractor. People regained their composure within seconds. A guy from Susya, near southern Mount Hebron, shot him in the head and a few minutes later a Border Police officer shot him as well," the witness added.

The driver of the bus hit by the bulldozer said he was chased as the driver wielded the vehicle's shovel.

"I was driving on the main road when the [bulldozer] hit me in the rear, on the right hand side," the driver of the bus, who was not identified, told Channel 10 TV.

"After I passed him he turned round, made a U-turn and rammed the windows twice with the shovel. The third time he aimed for my head, he came up to my window and I swerved to the right, otherwise I would have gone to meet my maker," he said.

Witness Moshe Shimshi said the driver, who was wearing a large, white skullcap commonly worn by religious Muslims, slammed into the side of the bus, then sped away and went for a car.

"He didn't yell anything, he just kept ramming into cars," Shimshi said. "The driver then headed for cars waiting at a red light and rammed into them with all his might."

Related articles:
  • Bulldozer driver goes on rampage in Jerusalem, apparent copycat of recent deadly attack
  • Obama condemns attack, says will always back Israel's war on terror
  • Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    A hero or a pharaoh?
    An Iranian film praising Sadat's assassin has touched off a row between Egypt and Iran.
    Primary colors
    Barack Obama looks to reassure Jews of his commitment to Israeli security.
      1.   Why this happened again 17:45  |  Rabbi Yakov Lazaros 22/07/08
      2.   The police passivity encourages crimes in the Arab sector in... 18:04  |  Jean Van Daem 22/07/08
      3.   Arabs need to show they don`t support the attackers 19:31  |  Gregor 22/07/08
      4.   Sure, destroy his home, but here`s a better idea 19:56  |  Paul 22/07/08
      5.   They will be like thorns in our eyes 20:55  |  Rob 22/07/08
      6.   This is sad but ur strong rightist goverment will only increase 21:43  |  Philo 22/07/08
      7.   Abbas barely finished praising Kuntar, Peres says it`s all about 21:59  |  Nate 22/07/08
      8.   Give His House To The Jewish Victims 22:02  |  Yishai Kohen 22/07/08
      9.   shame on you 22:24  |  zeinab 22/07/08
      10.   illegal immigrant jews r killing palestenians everyday 22:29  |  sd 22/07/08
      11.   VIDEO GAMES 22:51  |  zozez 22/07/08
      12.   philo the govermnt who runs Israel is far from left 23:34  |  JP 22/07/08
      13.   1Rabbi Lazaros you are a disgrace to your profession,you should 00:49  |  lakshmi 23/07/08
      14.   Why call it East Jerusalem? 01:41  |  Richard S 23/07/08
      15.   NOT exactly an incentive for giving Arabs jobs!Peaceful Thais 03:23  |  PETER SM 23/07/08
      16.   RICHARD S 04:04  |  MONA 23/07/08
      17.   All the Palestinians wants to show,the shape of 04:05  |  Akram Zekaria 23/07/08
      18.   both attack with these construction vehicles 04:14  |  Llyn 23/07/08
      19.   It`s because Jews have been "demonized" 08:02  |  James Hovland 23/07/08
      20.   All the terrorists wanted to do was to kill jews 16:49  |  David Willig 23/07/08
      21.   #1 Rabbi Lazaros 01:53  |  Adrian de Klerk 24/07/08
      22.   #13 you are a disgrace to human values 01:55  |  Adrian de Klerk 24/07/08
     Read & React
    Sen. Joe Lieberman praises pastor who said Holocaust was God's work
    Responses: 70
    Obama tells Haaretz: Two states for two peoples
    Responses: 62
    Ashkenazi in U.S.: All options are on the table regarding Iran
    Responses: 33
    Editorial: We need a U.S. leader unfettered by the Israel lobby
    Responses: 52
    Israel Harel: Shalit must be made a burden for Hamas, rather than an asset
    Responses: 19
    Rosner's Domain
    Is Jimmy Carter 'tone-deaf' to Jewish sensibilities? (WTR)
    Will Lebanon pay the price for the prisoner swap deal?
    What will Obama look for in Jerusalem (and Ramallah)?
    Why does Israel keep agreeing to prisoner swaps?


    More Headlines
    14:37 Palestinians: Settlers rampage through West Bank village
    14:11 Barack Obama tells Haaretz: Two states for two peoples
    09:31 Ashkenazi in U.S.: All options are on the table regarding Iran
    14:53 Terror victims' relatives file NIS 450m suit against PA, Barghouti
    13:36 MKs okay new West Bank homes, despite vow to freeze settlements
    14:41 Study: Tel Aviv more expensive to live in than New York
    15:36 Jewish World/Unwilling flag wavers?
    16:05 Egypt shuts Iranian TV office in Cairo amid spat over Sadat film
    14:51 Haredis likely behind vandalism of Jerusalem ads featuring actress
    09:27 ADL condemns anti-Semitic cartoons of Obama, McCain
    13:34 VIDEO / Musician Idan Raichel woos Arabs in Al-Jazeera interview
    13:33 Pop singer Aviv Gefen pens new ballad calling to free Shalit
    07:18 Shin Bet head Diskin: Gaza lull is lifeline to Hamas
    06:53 After 40 years, Israel braces for return of the bedbug
    Previous Editions
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    Fattal Hotel Chain
    Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel.
    Israel's Premier Real Estate Website
    www. israel-property.com
    Dan Hotels Israel
    Live the Legend & experience an Unforgettable Summer Vacation
    Yossi Avrahami Presents:
    New Luxurious Projects in North Tel Aviv & Eilat
    Holyland Park
    Jerusalem Apartment Tower World Class Luxury
    Your vacation starts here
    Israel Travel Center Guaranteed Lowest Rates
    Hebrew Summer courses
    From $39.95
    ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel
    Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |
    Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel
    birthright Israel | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved