On Wednesday, at least three Israelis were killed and 40 others were
injured when a Palestinian contractor for the state's light rail project
commandeered a huge bulldozer and plowed into cars and buses in downtown
Jerusalem. The Palestinian, a 30-year-old from Jerusalem with a criminal
record, was killed by an off-duty Israeli soldier.
"To our regret the attackers do not cease coming up with new ways to
strike at the heart of the Jewish people here in Jerusalem," Jerusalem Mayor
Uri Lupolianski said.
Officials said they were uncertain whether the Palestinian, a convicted
rapist and drug dealer, was recruited by Hamas to conduct the attack. Hamas
did not claim responsibility, but praised the killing of Israeli civilians.
"We consider it as a natural reaction to the daily aggression and crimes
committed against our people in the West Bank and all over the occupied
lands," Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said.
The Fatah militia, Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, was among three Palestinian
groups that claimed responsibility. Al Aqsa has been formally under the
leadership of Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas.
"It looks as if it was a spontaneous act," Israeli police chief Dudi
Cohen said.
But officials said the Palestinian bulldozer driver, who appeared to
have
been headed for the crowded Mahane Yehuda market, carefully planned his
attack. They said the driver was probably under pressure from Hamas
regarding debts or accusations that he had collaborated with Israel.
"The way these things start is that Arab employees of the government,
particularly if they are Palestinians, come under pressure to prove that
they are not working for the Israeli security services," the official said.
"This can sometimes lead to a terrorist act."
