Last update - 00:00 02/01/2008
Jerusalem Police planning highest security for Bush visit
By Jonathan Lis, Haaretz Correspondent
Jerusalem District Police released special traffic and security instructions Wednesday in preparation for U.S. President George W. Bush's visit to Israel next Wednesday.
As part of the police's plan to heighten security during the visit, some main streets in Jerusalem will be closed to traffic, and any vehicle parked on these streets will be towed to a special lot to be erected in the city's Teddy Stadium.
No parking will be allowed on the following streets: Gaza, Rupin, King David, Agron and Jabotinsky.
Bush's visit is expected to last three days, starting with a formal welcome ceremony at Ben-Gurion Airport. From there, Bush is scheduled to fly by helicopter to meet with President Shimon Peres in Jerusalem.
The flight means that police will not have to close off the Highway 1 from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. In the capital, Bush's visit is expected to revolve around five main venues: The Helipad which is scheduled to be set up exclusively for him at Givat Ram, the Prime Minister's Residence, the President's Residence, and Yad Vashem. The compound in and around the King David Hotel, where Bush will be staying, will be completely closed off to cars and pedestrians.
Police will leave notices on buildings along the main streets and areas scheduled to be closed, with a timetable of planned closures. Police are expected to appeal to the capital's citizens to use public transportation for the duration of the visit to reduce congestion. Egged bus routes will be altered according to security needs.
Police set up a hotline which can be reached at 1-700-506-677, with real-time updates on closures and recommended routes.
Jerusalem District Police chief Aharon Franco said that the authorities have not received any warnings or information on any intent to harm the president's convoy. Nevertheless, Franco said he believes many will try to disturb the peace during the visit.
For instance, police are preparing for the possibility that U.S. convicted spy Jonathan Pollard supporters will hold demonstrations and rallies calling for Pollard's release during Bush's stay in Jerusalem. In the past, Pollard supporters were able to reach the floor of the room where U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was staying in Jerusalem.
At the end of his meeting with Peres, Bush reportedly intends to hold a news conference at the nearby Prime Minister's Residence. The following day, Bush is slated to hold a series of meetings at the King David Hotel, and will participate in a festive dinner held in his honor at the hotel.
On the final day of his visit, the U.S. president is expected to visit Yad Vashem and then fly to the north of the country.
Bush is expected to hold a three-way meeting with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, in an effort to accelerate negotiations on the conflict's core issues - borders, refugees, and Jerusalem.
Jerusalem municipal workers from the City Beautification Department began placing flags throughout the city. Approximately 1,500 U.S., Israeli, and Jerusalem city flags will be placed at points that Bush will visit, and in sections of the city through which his motorcade will pass.
The City Council's hall will serve as an international media center for the hoards of foreign reporters covering the visit.
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