by Katie Fretland and updated
Several people were injured in Jerusalem near the hotel where Sen. Barack Obama is scheduled to stay tonight when a man driving a backhoe rammed into other vehicles and a bus, according to news reports.
The driver of the construction vehicle was shot and killed, according to an Israeli government statement reported by CNN.
Israeli police are calling the incident a terror attack, while there was no immediate claim of responsibility. The AP reports that the driver was a Palestinian man from east Jerusalem, which Israel took over in 1967.
Earlier in July, police shot and killed a Palestinian driver after he drove a construction vehicle into cars and pedestrians on a busy street in Jerusalem. The attack left three others dead and dozens wounded.
Video from the BBC showed the wreckage of the scene today. Three cars were crumpled and one vehicle lay overturned.
"Today's bulldozer attack is a reminder of what Israelis have courageously lived with on a daily basis for far too long," Obama said during a press conference in Jordan. "I strongly condemn this attack and will always support Israel in confronting terrorism and pursuing lasting peace and security. Right now my thoughts and prayers go out to all who were injured and to their families."
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Comments
Must be those terrorists that Obama is using as security for his Ramallah visit.
"According to security officials coordinating deployments of forces with the PA for Obama's Ramallah visit, members of the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, Fatah's declared military wing, have been called upon by the PA to participate in the protection of Obama, particularly in securing the perimeter during a scheduled meeting with PA President Mahmoud Abbas.
The Brigades is listed as a terror organization by the U.S. State Department. The group took credit along with the Islamic Jihad terror organization for every suicide bombing in Israel between 2005 and 2006 and is responsible for thousands of shootings and rocket firings. Statistically, the Al Aqsa Brigades perpetuated more terrorism from the West Bank than Hamas, according to the Israeli Defense Forces.
Brigades leaders, speaking to WND on condition of anonymity, confirmed they will participate in protecting Obama as official members of the PA's security forces."
See http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=70124
for more.
Perhaps some journalist should ask a question about this?
Posted by: Murrow | July 22, 2008 9:47 AM
Terrorists are smarter than this. Hamas already endorsed Obama. They know it'll be easier to operate with Obama in office than McCain. The last thing a muslim terrorist is going to do is bother Obama.
Posted by: John | July 22, 2008 10:36 AM
Big deal. Would this be a story if Obama wasn't staying there? Things happen like this (sans backhoe) all the time. If there was a rocket attack on the hotel he was going to stay in, then I would understand the need for Obama to even be mentioned in this story.
Does the world need to be informed that there is genocide on the same planet Obama lives on?
Posted by: Malcolm | July 22, 2008 10:46 AM
The overwhelming amount of people the US government list as potential terrorist threats is ridiculous. The right wingers would have you believe that even musical acts, i.e. Extra Golden, are terrorist groups plotting to kill American citizens. It's sad that we allow ourselves to be governed by fear.
Posted by: Thomas Penn | July 22, 2008 10:53 AM
Terror attack?
I thought that was just a bumper sticker....
Paulo
Posted by: Paulo | July 22, 2008 10:55 AM
To Murrow...I'm curious. If a "terrorist group" represents the duly elected government of a country, who is supposed to provide security?
Posted by: KW | July 22, 2008 11:12 AM
I can smell the fear in those "great" Americans. Keep up the good work with the "muslim" one trick pony.
Posted by: bill "Hussein" r. | July 22, 2008 11:13 AM
One very important detail had been missed: this terrorist was Israeli citizen from East Jerusalem. It's a second time in row , that Israeli Arab is involved in terror attack on civilians in Jerusalem. Why is it so important to me? Because he had all the same rights as any other Israeli: learn, work, move without any block-posts or barriers, be a parliament member or a minister.
But he (guided by his "teachers") came into a city ,that gives him and many other like him a job, to try and kill as more as possible innocent people. Now, if Israeli authorities will forbid access to West Jerusalem for Palestinian construction workers, all civilized world will cry , that they have nothing to eat and getting "frustrated" (so much, that will go an d kill some more Jews). Isn't it interesting?
Posted by: Michael | July 22, 2008 11:15 AM
This has nothing to do with Senator Obama's visit to the Middle East. Giving this the headline that it has and making Senator Obama a point in the story does a great disservice to the Israeli people as well as the Palestinian people.
Posted by: Happyjack | July 22, 2008 11:17 AM
He'll do anything to get attention.
Posted by: brigitte | July 22, 2008 11:22 AM
Obama just committed a big gaffe in his press conference, stating, "Israel is a strong friend of Israel's." Even DailyKos has this.
Maybe if we posters post this enough, it will embarrass The Swamp and Ms. Fretland into running their first "Obama gaffe" story, to match The Swamp's "McCain gaffe' litany.
Posted by: Murrow | July 22, 2008 12:05 PM
Hey, Murrow, let's not forget about the color green. What are you wearing today?
Posted by: JB | July 22, 2008 3:08 PM
Actually, they aren't kidding about it being terrorist. I've heard of this group, it exist in the US and abroad as well. It's the LHEO terror group. It's been around for years>Looney Heavy Equipment Operator -terror group HA! This was just a warning to Obama that they are keeping an eye on him.....which explains the proximity!
Posted by: Teresa | July 23, 2008 5:53 AM