Spain condemns deadly attack in Jerusalem

2008-07-03 13:28:51 [ Big Normal Small ]    　Comment

MADRID, July 2 (Xinhua) -- Spain condemned Wednesday a deadly attack that killed four people and wounded 30 more in central Jerusalem.

The Spanish Foreign and Cooperation Ministry extended its condolences to the Israelis and their government for the tragic loss of human life and hoped the injured would recover soon.

The drama unfolded early Wednesday when a Palestinian man rammed a bulldozer into buses and cars before being shot dead.

His actions undoubtedly touched an already fragile nerve in the Israeli territory, turning a bustling commercial district into a scene of panic and confusion.

Israeli police confirmed the assailant to be a 30-year-old from Arab east Jerusalem who "apparently acted alone" in the "senseless act."

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who is trying to negotiate a peace accord with Israel, condemned the incident. Later in the day, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the French presidency of the European Union also condemned the violence.

A state of emergency was declared in Jerusalem following the incident, which marked the first major attack in the Jewish territory since a gunman killed eight students in a religious school in March.

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