2nd attack with a bulldozer within a month

On 22 July 2008 a Palestinian man went on a rampage in central West Jerusalem using a bulldozer in an attack similar to one that took place on 2 July. It appears that the attacker took the bulldozer from a construction site near the neighborhood of Yemin Moshe, from where he travelled toward Liberty Bell Park located near the corner of Keren Hayesod and King David streets. The perpetrator attacked a public bus and several vehicles before being shot dead; as many as 16 people were injured, but the attacker's death was the only fatality. Authorities quickly cordoned off the scene and are reportedly searching for two additional suspects who may have assisted the attacker, who has yet to be identified. It is believed that the attacker worked at the construction site from where the bulldozer was taken. Security was already tight in Jerusalem, as U.S. Senator and presidential candidate Barack Obama was scheduled to arrive at the King David Hotel later in the day to kick off the Israel portion of his Middle East trip. The upscale hotel is located on King David Street, only a few blocks away from the scene of the attack. The incident also occurred a short distance away from the official residence of Israeli President Shimon Peres, who was hosting a meeting there with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the time of the attack. At this time, there has been no claim of responsibility for the attack. This most recent attack appears to be a copycat of the 2 July act, but inflicted less damage than the previous incident, which was perpetrated by a Palestinian resident of East Jerusalem who took a bulldozer from a nearby construction site where he worked. Several groups claimed responsibility for the 2 July attack, but no official links to militant groups were established and it is believed that the attacker was acting alone. Authorities have identified the perpetrator in the 22 July attack as being a Palestinian resident of East Jerusalem as well, but it is not known if he had any links to militant groups. No motive has been established for the attack, and it remains unknown if its timing has any connection to Obama's visit or the talks with the Palestinian president.