RAMPAGE PROMTED PRIOR TO OBAMA'S VISIT at JERUSALEM

This must be sort of act of TERRORISM made by a Palestinian TUESDAY prior to Sen. Obama's visit to JERUSALEM promoting his pledge to push peace deal . Devastatingly, Obama condemened the attackers saying that this was a big insult on his part as a PEACEMAKER  

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SOURCE : Reuters/abs-cbn news

JERUSALEM - A Palestinian rammed a bulldozer into vehicles on a Jerusalem street on Tuesday before a visit by U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, who condemned the attack and pledged to push for a peace deal.

The attacker wounded at least 16 people, one seriously, before being shot dead just down the road from the hotel where Obama is due to stay. It was the second such incident in Jewish west Jerusalem in three weeks.

"Today's bulldozer attack is a reminder of what Israelis have courageously lived with on a daily basis for far too long," Obama told a news conference in Amman. "I strongly condemn this attack and will always support Israel in confronting terrorism and pursuing lasting peace and security."

White House spokeswoman Dana Perino called the rampage "an act of terrorism," adding that such attacks "do nothing to further the goals of Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace, a goal the president has been advocating for."

"The Israeli government is unsettled. The Palestinians are divided between Fatah and Hamas. And so it's difficult for either side to make the bold move that would bring about peace," Obama told reporters in Amman.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who faces a corruption probe that could force him from office, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who lost his hold on the Gaza Strip to Hamas Islamists a year ago, aim to reach a statehood agreement before U.S. President George W. Bush leaves office in January.

But disputes over Jewish settlement building and violence on both sides have marred the negotiations.

‘Murder’

The attack occurred while Israeli President Shimon Peres hosted Abbas less than a kilometer (half-mile) away, the first visit by a Palestinian president to Israel's official presidential residence.

A police spokesman said a civilian opened fire at the bulldozer, which kept moving until police shot him dead. Emergency services said at least 16 people were wounded.

A bulldozer attack in Jerusalem on July 2 killed three Israelis. Its Palestinian driver, a resident of Arab East Jerusalem, was shot dead by an off-duty soldier and police.