Subscribe to our daily e-mail newsletter

E-mail:

Israel News Feed Or subscribe to our RSS feed | What is RSS?
Israel News from Jerusalem Newswire
America in the Middle East

Bush in Israel - The president's itinerary


By Stan Goodenough
January 08, 2008

Monday and Tuesday saw preparations intensify for US President George W. Bush's first official, three day visit to Israel.

American and Israeli flags hung from lamp posts lining the routes he will travel; IDF and police helicopters were seen coming and going over Jerusalem; US embassy and consular vehicles filled the parking spaces outside the King David Hotel; while lines of taxis could be seen ferrying journalists to other hotels in the city.

According to The Jerusalem Post, the president's itinerary has been firmed up as follows:

Wednesday afternoon: Airforce One will land at Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv where Bush will be welcomed by President Shimon Peres, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu, Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzhik and Israel's chief rabbis.

A helicopter will ferry Bush from the airport to Jerusalem, the Israeli capital, and he will head for his room - the $2,600-a-night Royal Suite in the King David.

After being welcomed there by Jerusalem Mayor Uri Lupoliansky, Bush will go to Bet Hanassi - the President's Residence - for an official reception, then head to the Prime Minister's official residence for a dinner meeting with Olmert.

Thursday: Bush will start the day by paying a visit to the sons of comatose former prime minister Ariel Sharon, then will travel to Ramallah, the "Palestinian" "capital" north of Jerusalem where he will meet with PLO chief terrorist and Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas, PA "Prime Minister" Salaam Fayad and other PA officials.

The American leader will then drive south back through Jerusalem to Bethlehem - the city where Israel's prophets said the Messiah would be born, the place where Jesus was born, and the city Israel surrendered to PA control in 1995.

Returning to Jerusalem, Bush will have another dinner meeting with Olmert and be joined by some senior government officials including Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Defense Minister Ehud Barak.

Friday: Bush will meet with Quarter Middle East Envoy Tony Blair after which he will visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial Museum. Then the self-professed Christian president will fly north by helicopter to the Sea of Galilee, Capernaum and the Mount of Beatitudes - famous sites of Jesus' ministry.

Friday afternoon the president will leave Israel for the Persian Gulf.

Like the article?
Help spread the word:
Jnewswire updates
Never miss another story
  • Inbox already too full?
    Subscribe to our
    RSS feed instead!