Jerusalem Mayor Pulls a Cory Booker, Helps Stop an Attack

JERUSALEM— -- Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat says he and his bodyguard leapt into action this evening, personally pinning down a Palestinian teenager suspected of stabbing an Israeli near City Hall.

"My bodyguard and I jumped straight out of the car, he drew his weapon and together we caught the terrorist until police arrived, and we took care of the wounded, who, happily, was only lightly wounded," said Barkat, who served as an officer in the paratroopers' brigade.

Israeli police confirmed the mayor and his security details were at the scene after an 18-year-old Palestinian teenager lunged at a 27-year-old Israeli with a knife. Video shot on the scene shows the mayor, 55, in a white shirt leaning over the teen on the ground.

Police Superintendent Micky Rosenfeld said the teen was arrested and the investigation into the attack continues at this hour, including the search for a motive.

"It's clear to me that if the terrorist had continued stabbing, he would not be alive right now,” Barkat told reporters. “But because he dropped the knife we overpowered the terrorist, and I hope he is punished appropriately.”Apparently, this isn't the first time Mayor Barkat has intervened: Israeli Defense Forces spokesman Peter Lerner tweeted the following story from 2004.

Back stateside, former Newark Mayor Cory Booker has a history of heroic interventions. Now a U.S. senator representing New Jersey, Booker once joined a foot chase in pursuit of a robbery suspect, although his body guards made the actual grab. He also once rescued a neighbor from her burning house.