Middle East

Three killed and 45 injured in Jerusalem bulldozer attack

Article published on the 2008-07-02 Latest update 2008-07-02 16:11 TU

The aftermath of the attack in Jerusalem. 2 July

In Jerusalem today a Palestinian drove a bulldozer into traffic, killing three people and injuring at least 45. He rammed the machine into two buses and five cars as he drove several hundred metres against traffic. The attack has been condemned in France and the United States but no group has claimed responsibility.

The man was eventually shot dead by police.

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner described the attack as "repugnant" and urged Israelis and Palestinians to continue peace negotiations.

A witness told RFI's French Service that "quite a long time elapsed between the start of the attack and when the driver was killed, three minutes perhaps - it seemed like an eternity."

Correspondant Mark Lavie said the road where the attack took place was under construction and that traffic had been cut down to one lane in each direction.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack and it is not clear if the 38-year-old man from East Jerusalem is a member of any organisation.