“The Palestinians’ real tragedy is that they have not been able to produce a Nelson Mandela. Every single day, Muslims are killed by Muslims. You do not see a single Muslim leader get up and say, ‘Enough is enough.' It’s nearly as if we live in a world where if Christians kill Muslims, it’s a crusade. If Jews kill Muslims, it’s a massacre. And when Muslims kill Muslims, it’s the Weather Channel. Nobody cares.”

Read these and other quotes from Dan Gillerman, outgoing Israeli ambassador to the United Nations, on Elder of Ziyon.

Breaking news in the Israeli mainstream news and blogosphere reports that a man driving a bulldozer ploughed down the streets of Jerusalem in a mad rampage, mimicking the tractor attack of 20 days past.

An estimated 24 people were wounded and three killed when armed civilian Yaakov Asael and border guard Amal Ganem shot the driver dead, ending the assault. The murderer is reportedly a Palestinian from East Jerusalem in possession of an Israeli identity card.

While a gag order has been placed on the mainstream news media in releasing an identity, the blogosphere reports the attacker's name as Ghasam Abu-Tir. His name was released with initial news of the attack and widely publicized on the radio, but is now being hidden by official news sources.

The Israeli Blogosphere Reacts–

A Soldier's Mother writes in This is Israel an entry entitled, “It's Happened Again”:

Yet again, a bulldozer has been used as a terrorist weapon to hurt innocent civilians. Today's terrorist has been identified as Ghasam Abu-Tir, a relative of Hamas lawmaker Muhammad Abu-Tir… The terrorist was 22 years old and a resident of an Arab neighborhood in Jerusalem… What Israel will do as a result of this latest attack…no one knows. Stay tuned and pray for the wounded.

Brian Blum of This Normal Life recounts his day in Jerusalem:

Amir and I were downtown when the police cars and ambulances started zooming past us, their sirens blaring. We had just finished an ice coffee at The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf and were waiting at a bus stop to go home. One after another, the police sped down Jaffa Road. There must have been at least 100 vehicles in just a few minutes. The reason was clear: there had been a terror attack. But we didn’t know what or where…

Was it a suicide bomber on a bus? An explosion at a cafe? The police all seemed to be heading in the direction of the King David Hotel. Wasn’t British Prime Minister Gordon Brown staying there? Had U.S. Democratic candidate Barack Obama already arrived. About that time, my cell phone died, leaving us incommunicado.

He continues:

The bulldozer driver had apparently been working just around the corner in nearby Yemin Moshe, one of Jerusalem’s most fashionable and expensive neighborhoods. Two accomplices fled and the police were sealing off any possible escape routes. Immediately after the attack, politicians began calling for a ban in the employment of East Jerusalem Arabs as construction workers in the city. But how? Jerusalem these days is one big construction zone. Bulldozers abound. Do we need to fear walking past a new building going up like we once avoided cafes and buses? What means will the terrorists use next?

…In another hour we have guests coming from overseas for a pizza party. Tonight I have a conference call with the States. Just another day in Jerusalem. Life goes on. But a normal life? Never.

Izzy Bee of Israelity Bites was also having an average day until she encountered “Massive Weapons of Construction”:

Today, I was coming back from my dentist appointment and took a shortcut through the YMCA carpark (It's across the street from the King David Hotel, where British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his wife had just left and Barack Obama is due to check in tonight.) Timing is everything, they say. Just ten minutes later, chaos broke out.

Once again a Palestinian construction worker –aren't they all?—let loose against the traffic in the heat of a Jerusalem afternoon. After he rammed a bus and passing cars with his bulldozer, armed civilians shot him dead. One car driver was seriously hurt, and at least ten other people were injured, including a scuffed up little baby.

David Bogner of Treppenwitz comments:

Guns don't kill people… apparently tractors kill people.

Another heavy equipment terror attack just occured on Jerusalem's crowded streets. Another Arab terrorist is off to meet his 72 virgins. I can only pray that they are all male… and none too tender about their first time.

I really have nothing constructive to say about this.

Jameel of The Muqata posts about the incident including photos and videos, as well as updated news about the attack. He explains:

Once again, civilians keep the streets of Jerusalem safer. The responsible person for shooting and killing the terrorist was a civilian. A Border policeman apparently also took part. There are 5 wounded, 2 of them in serious condition and one of the wounded is an infant. [Note: these numbers are now outdated] 2 cars and a bus were damaged by the tractor. The attack took place near the King David hotel.

Dion Nissenbaum of Checkpoint Jerusalem asks:

Since this attack comes about two weeks after the first bizarre construction vehicle rampage in Jerusalem, it is certain to stoke the debate here about whether this is a new strategy being used by Palestinians - and what can be done to stop these attacks.

Since the first attacker acted alone and had no known ties to militant groups, it was thought that the rampage might be a strange anomaly.

But, as newspaper editors always tell us, it only takes three to call something a trend.

Now we have two.

In “Race of Suffering,” Lirun of East Med Sea Peace adds questions of her own:

Another psycho attacker has struck innocent pedestrians in jerusalem… i wonder who will suffer the most.. will it be israelis.. the wounded.. our economy.. world image? will it be the palestinians.. their farmers.. the residents of jerusalem or their world image? how many new roadblocks will be set up?

In a post entitled, “Using Technology to Tell You I Am OK,” Israluv of Sabra at Heart reassures:

Another terrorist bulldozer attack near my neighborhood and it means I need to change my status on Facebook, MSN Messenger, Gtalk and twitter to let everyone know I am ok. It makes life a bit easier to share the news via the web and lucky for me most of the people I know use one of the many different services listed above.

Changing my status online doesnt stop the influx of “are you ok” phone calls but it definitely helps me share the news with those who don't live in Jerusalem or even in this region with my status. My parents are still in New York and since we are 7 hours ahead I have to notify them before they even awake that I am ok…

Looking forward to the day my status online no longer needs to be updated to tell people that I am ok.

Possible Implications–

Jerusalem Mayor Uri Lupolianski reacted to today's attack saying, “You throw terrorists out the door, they climb through the window with all kinds of means and ideas. Every working tool becomes a means of terror and we must rethink how we employ those working here.”

A Note to My Readers–

At this time, I'd also like to add a personal note to my Global Voices Online readers, who I know to be intelligent and critical media consumers. As you are reading news of this incident, please take into consideration the tone and words that different news sources use in describing it and how it reflects the content of the article. Does the headline mention people or objects? Who does it hold responsible for what happened? How does the author view the attack in light of the larger situation in Israel and Palestine?

Compare these sampling of headlines:

• “Sixteen wounded in copycat bulldozer attack in Jerusalem” (Jerusalem Post, Israel)
• “Second Palestinian bulldozer rampage injures 29 on Jerusalem main street” (DebkaFile, Israel)
• “Israel terror: Three killed, 44 hurt as Palestinian runs amok with bulldozer in street” (Guardian, UK)
• “Palestinian in construction truck rams cars” (Yahoo! News)
• “Israel Bulldozer Driver Shot Dead” (BBC News, UK)
• “Bulldozer attack: Israel threatens military action” (France 24)
• “Bulldozer attack hits Jerusalem” (Al Jazeera, English version)
• “Attack injures 5 near Obama's Jerusalem hotel” (CNN)
• “Attack with bulldozer near where Obama to stay” (New York Times via Reuters)

Have Your Say–

What is your country saying? Do bloggers' headlines differ from those of the mainstream news? Please add your own findings in the comments section. Let's compare.

The victim, whose name has not been revealed at his family's request, was in his early 30s and had been a border guard for eight years after his release from the Israel Defense Forces. He was a member of the Druze community.

The incident followed a three-day visit of President Sarkozy and his wife, Carla Bruni, to Israel. While in-country, Sarkozy spoke before the Knesset, Israel's house of parliament, where he rallied against the building of settlements, advocated an undivided Jerusalem as a capital for both Israel and Palestine, and reasserted France's commitment to protecting Israel's security.

Photo sourced from the Wikimedia Commons (Creative Commons License)

During his visit, Sarkozy also met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and toured the West Bank, after having met with Arab leaders in Syria and Lebanon earlier this week.

Words from the Blogosphere–

Daniel Levy of the Prospects for Peace blog and Director of the Prospects for Peace Initiative at The Century Foundation compares the Knesset speeches of French President Sarkozy and US President George W. Bush, during his visit last month.

“Two Presidents, two speeches, one leader:
- President Bush on the borders for a 2 state solution: ___________.
- President Sarkozy: “It is not possible to have peace without a negotiated border based on the 1967 lines with an exchange of territories.”
- President Bush on settlements: ___________.
- President Sarkozy: “Peace cannot be achieved without a total and immediate cessation of the settlements.”
- President Bush on Jerusalem's future status: ___________.
- President Sarkozy: “Peace cannot be achieved without the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of two states and guaranteeing freedom of access to holy sites for all religions.”
- President Bush on the Palestinian refugee issue: ___________.
- President Sarkozy: “Peace cannot be achieved without solving the problem of the Palestinian refugees, while respecting the identity and purpose of Israel.”
- President Bush on Israeli-Palestinian, Israeli-Syrian, or Israeli-Lebanese peace talks: _________.
- President Sarkozy: “(France) is ready to organize on its soil all the talks that could lead to (peace), whether in Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, the Syrian-Israeli dialogue, or the talks that will have to resume, one day soon I hope, between Israel and Lebanon.”

Other bloggers were less concerned with the political content of Sarkozy's visit and focused more on the visuals that it presented. Carla Bruni, the President's third wife who works professionally as a singer and model, drew significant attention from the ever appreciative citizen journalists of Israel.

Simply Jews observes:

“Carla Bruni appears to be accompanied by a French president, one Nicolas Sarkozy… The immediate effects of this singular event:
1. The quantities of drool emanating from the paparazzi, journalists, assorted officials and Israeli male population in general postponed the expected government announcement of drought and drastic water economy measures.
2. The attack on Iranian nuclear sites, invasion of Gaza, decapitation of Hezbollah and other miscellaneous acts of usual Zionist aggression are delayed indefinitely or until further notice.
3. Shimon Peres was seen doing 90 push-ups in the VIP lounge of Ben-Gurion airport, with Carla and their aids counting, Dom Perignon being uncorked in the background.”

Dion Nissenbaum of the Checkpoint Jerusalem blog joins Simply Jews in welcoming Ms. Bruni's arrival.

“Carla Mania has come to Israel. After charming the Brits in March and winning fawning praise from President Bush earlier this month, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, the accomplished singer and successful model who is sometimes referred to as France's first lady, has brought her allure to Jerusalem. One French magazine has dubbed her “La Presidente.”

Her husband, President What's-His-Name, is doing his best to make some news of his own.”

Israelity Bites comments darkly on Ms. Bruni's role in the shooting.

“Some jested that the security guard lost his footing while straining to see Madame Carla, the French first lady, who has had a Jackie Kennedy dazzle on the populace at large. Israel Radio said the soldier who was shot was stationed 100 meters to 200 meters away. Two women soldiers who witnessed the shooting were treated for shock, the radio said.

Israel's volunteer medical service Zaka said the soldier apparently committed suicide. But other media reports said he may have fainted from the heat, discharging his gun accidentally.”

Read More About Recent Visits to Israel by Heads of State–

• Going Green with Gore (May 2008)
• Bush's Final Presidential Visit (May 2008)
• What's Carter Doing in the Middle East? (April 2008)
• President Bush Visits Israel (January 2008)

And:

• Lebanon: Condoleeza Rice's Surprise Visit (June 2008)

Using a camera given to her by B'Tselem's Shooting Back project, Palestinian Nawajaa recorded the masked beating of members of her family, resulting in an investigation and arrest of suspects by Israeli police.

In a post entitled “Cameras as Weapons,” Uriel Hellman writes in the JTA's Telegraph blog:

“Imagine if this project were expanded throughout the Middle East. Just as Israel has taken action against this thuggish and criminal activity, authorities from Riyadh to Cairo would take action against thugs in their societies who target Arab innocents.

There’s just one problem: Nobody’s interested in how people in those places are beaten, murdered and maimed — and, in some cases, the persecution is carried out by their own governments. B’Tselem, or at least the United Nations, would do well to protect those innocents as well.”

Yuval Diskin, the director of Shin Bet, Israel's secret service, reported a marked increase in arms smuggled from Sinai, Egypt, during the first 72 hours of the ceasefire. He called the truce “a first-class strategic blunder.”

Bloggers React to Ruptured Agreement–

In an entry entitled, “Goodbye Fake Truce,” political blogger Carl in Jerusalem of the Israel Matzav blog writes:

“That didn't take long, did it now?.. Well, was nice while it lasted.”

Carl also reports on the Israel Defense Force's new ruling that prohibits soldiers from firing on those carrying arms unless there is proof that they intend to shoot.

He likewise echoes Diskin's findings on the smuggling of arms from Sinai, remarking that all southern crossings have been closed but for the Erez's pedestrian crossing on the Israeli-Egyptian border.

“The fact that Israel has apparently agreed to tie its hands behind its back and not respond to terror attacks is also astounding. Surely no one can actually believe that the Egyptians are going to risk their troops to enforce the ‘truce' anymore than Hamas would risk theirs. The level of Egyptian inactivity in stopping weapons smuggling to this point ought to make it completely clear that Egypt is not willing to do what must be done.”

In the group blog This is Israel, the author, A Soldier's Mother, reflects:

“The ceasefire that began last Thursday - the one that meant the two sides were not supposed to be firing at each other…was broken last night when Palestinians fired a mortar at Israel, and again today when four rockets were launched against Israel. And, since this blog is presenting Israel and how Israelis think, I have to be honest and tell you that the only thing that might surprise Israelis…is that it lasted this long. Sad, truly sad…but true.”

Aussie Dave, whose Israellycool blog expertly analyzes international media reactions to the news in Israel, comments:

“Now the thing about a ceasefire is that it comprises of two parts - “cease” and “fire”. Clearly, the terrorists are focusing on the “fire” part, while ignoring the whole “cease” thing.

And speaking of focus, the AP’s [Associated Press] is still on painting Israel as the villain. Here’s their headline for the story on today’s Qassam attacks: “Rockets hit Israel, which says truce broken.”

As if the firing of rockets into Israel does not really constitute a breaking of the truce; rather, it is merely an Israeli claim.”

In an entry entitled, “Not Rocket Science,” the usually mild manner Lirun of East Med Sea Peace, a resident of Tel Aviv who enjoys music, surfing, and photography, posts:

“sorry but i have no other way to put it.. a pack of liars..

u sweep up gaza and terrorise your own people.. you control every single inch of that land.. and now you broker a deal for a cease-fire with us yet continue to dig tunnels to bring in weapons and tell us you wont be our policeforce as islamic jihad now do your dirty work?

what is it.. either you control gaza and run the strip or you dont! and if you do then do what you promised and if you dont then dont pretend to represent the people in negotiations and forget telling the world how you are a legitimate government! this is insanity.. it cant be both way..

this is the heart of our stalemate and hamas has just corroded our ability to reach peace with gaza that one extra mile..

i call on the palestinian people to wake up to this farce.. interesting to watch what their split may achieve..”

New Studies Reveal Strong Desire for Arab-Jewish Coexistence Inside Israel–

To add perspective to the situation inside Israel, Israel Matzav and East Med Sea Peace both cite the newly released study by Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, which found the following:

• 77% of Israeli Arabs would rather live in Israel than anywhere else in the world
• 68% of Israeli Jews support the teaching of Arabic language in schools to forward communication and coexistence efforts
• 73% of Jews and 94% of Arabs want Israel to “be a society in which Arab and Jewish citizens have mutual respect and equal opportunities”

Harvard's survey supports the results of the University of Haifa's February 2008 findings that:

• 75% of Israeli Arabs aged 16 to 22 support voluntary national service, although few people are familiar with it as an option
• Upon learning more about national service, 72% of men and 83% of women in the Israeli Arab sector would consider participating in it
• 80% of the members of Arab political parties oppose national service

(Read the article if you have time. Its assessment of the multi-faceted nature of Israeli Arab society is a must-read for those who strive to be well educated about Israel and the Middle East.)

Articles of Interest–

• Iranian Grad Missiles Hit Ashkelon Mall (May 2008)
• Ashkelon is on the Map (February 2008)
• Cyber-Activists Promote Sderot (February 2008)
• One Wall Down: A New Reality in the Middle East (February 2008)
• Israeli Bloggers React to Crisis in Palestine (January 2008)
• Rockets Hit Sderot: Flame the Israeli Blogosphere (December 2007)

And:

• Palestine: 60 Years of Al Nakba (May 2008)
• Morocco, Israel, and Palestine: A Unique History (May 2008)
• Syria: Bloggers React to Gaza Blockade (January 2008)