Palestinian man drives into a group of soldiers

Late on 22 September 2008 a Palestinian man used his vehicle as a weapon as he drove into a group of soldiers and pedestrians waiting at a bus stop at a busy intersection in Jerusalem. Authorities stated that the incident was a deliberate attack; it occurred at approximately 2300 local time in West Jerusalem near the Old City (and in close proximity to Tzahal Square and the Jaffa Gate). As many as 15 people were injured, while a bystander shot dead the attacker, whom authorities identified as a 19-ear old resident of Jebel Mukaber, a neighborhood in East Jerusalem. There are no known connections between the Palestinian and any known militant groups, and no group has claimed responsibility; however, the Islamic Jihad praised the attack. Shortly after the incident occurred Haredi (ultra-Orthodox Jews) residents gathered near the crash site, where they chanted such slogans as "Death to Arabs" and attempted to march toward East Jerusalem (which is predominantly Arab) but were stopped by authorities. Unconfirmed reports stated that several Haredi residents attacked or attempted to attack Arabs.