Foreign Affair Spokesman, Arye Mekel declines to explain why soldier not
mentioned in Jerusalem "Bulldozer rampage" report

Dr. Aaron Lerner Date: 3 July, 2008

IMRA called Foreign Affair Spokesman, Arye Mekel, on 3 July 2008:

IMRA: Lerner from IMRA. I wanted to ask you why the Foreign Ministry
article about the terror attack yesterday (see below) reports that "Police
shot and killed the terrorist".

There is no mention of the soldier who was involved.

Is there some kind of policy issue that the Foreign Ministry didn't want to
mention the soldier?

Mekel: I prefer not to talk with you. Last time I didn't like the taping
and the quotes. I would rather not talk to you.

["Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesman, Arye Mekel clueless on calm
understanding" - the transcript of a telephone interview that took place
between Mekel and IMRA in which - at no time - Mr. Mekel indicated that he
was speaking off the record.
www.imra.org.il/story.php3?id=39681 ]

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Terrorist attack on Jaffa Road, Jerusalem
2 Jul 2008 [Ministry of Foreign Affairs Website]
www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Terrorism-+Obstacle+to+Peace/Palestinian+terror+since+2000/Terrorist+attack+on+Jaffa+Road+Jerusalem+2-Jul-2008.htm

Bulldozer rampage
Three people were killed and over 50 wounded in a terror attack in Jerusalem
shortly before noon
.
Driving a bulldozer on Jaffa Road between the Central Bus Station and the
Mahane Yehuda market, a terrorist deliberately plowed into cars and
pedestrians as well as two public buses (Egged buses 13 and 60) carrying
some 50 passengers, overturning one of them. Police shot and killed the
terrorist.

The attack, at the junction of Jaffa Road and Sarei Yisrael Street set off a
panic in the area, as traffic was halted, and hundreds of people fled
through the streets. One bus was overturned, and another bus was heavily
damaged. Cars were flattened and others overturned by the Caterpillar
vehicle. One car was dragged several meters by the bulldozer before being
crushed under the vehicle. A baby was pulled out by a passerby before the
vehicle was crushed, with the child's mother still inside.

The terrorist has been identified as a Palestinian from eastern Jerusalem,
who had taken the heavy bulldozer from the construction company that
employed him. He drove the large earthmover from the nearby construction
site of Jerusalem's light rail project for about 500 meters, crushing
oncoming traffic on Jaffa Road before being killed.