Cablegate: At Least 16 Injured, Driver Killed in New

VZCZCXRO3316
OO RUEHROV
DE RUEHJM #1328 2041323
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 221323Z JUL 08
FM AMCONSUL JERUSALEM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2237
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC PRIORITY

UNCLAS JERUSALEM 001328

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

OPS PLEASE PASS TO THE SECRETARY'S PARTY; NEA FOR FRONT
OFFICE AND IPA; NSC FOR ABRAMS/PASCUAL/SINGH

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KWBG PTER IS ASEC
SUBJECT: AT LEAST 16 INJURED, DRIVER KILLED IN NEW
BULLDOZER ATTACK

1. (SBU) Local press and police report at least 19 people
were injured (one seriously) when a Palestinian drove a heavy
front-loader into several cars (overturning one) on King
David Street at approximately 1400 local. A Border Policeman
and armed civilian shot and killed the driver, Ghassan Abu
Tir, from Umm Tuba (East Jerusalem), who is reportedly a
relative of jailed Hamas PLC member Muhammad Abu Tir.

2. (U) PA President Mahmud Abbas (Abu Mazen), who was
meeting with Israeli President Shimon Peres in Jerusalem when
the attack occurred, told local press that he condemns the
attack.

3. (SBU) There have not been any claims of responsibility
for the attack as of 1630 local.
WALLES

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