Subscribe to Print Edition | Thu., January 03, 2008 Tevet 25, 5768 | | Israel Time: 11:20 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File Magazine

Last update - 02:08 03/01/2008 Jerusalem Police planning highest security for Bush visit By Jonathan Lis, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Israel Police  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. Advertisement 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. Related articles: Olmert, Bush and Abbas to hold three-way summit in Jerusalem White House confirms Bush will visit the Middle East in January Comptroller to compile report on past efforts to release Pollard Bookmark to del.icio.us   Holocaust education For Dutch instructors, Islamophobia can be a teaching aid for Holocaust studies. White House race Edwards is the angry candidate; Obama prefers conciliation.   1.   could you imagine? 19:11  |  Aviel 02/01/08   2.   oh boy the long awaited reunion of the 3 stooges!! 19:13  |  muslim 02/01/08   3.   1. aviel: who killed rabin? i forget.... 19:18  |  muslim 02/01/08   4.   #3 19:30  |  aviel 02/01/08   5.   how horrifying 19:47  |  Merna 02/01/08   6.   Hey #2, Maybe they will lead us to peace ! 19:52  |  Jew 02/01/08   7.   Hey muslim, my leader is in the open 19:57  |  John 02/01/08   8.   #5 19:57  |  Aviel 02/01/08   9.   100.000 Israelis will gather to protest Pollard`s situation 19:58  |  Sarah Gerber 02/01/08   10.   6. to my jooish cousin 20:00  |  muslim 02/01/08   11.   gerber and the 100000 20:09  |  Bill 02/01/08   12.   Muslim 20:12  |  Rob 02/01/08   13.   #9 Sarah Gerber re Pollard 20:34  |  Labhras 02/01/08   14.   12.Rob? you got me 20:38  |  muslim 02/01/08   15.   Bush`s visit 20:47  |  Steve Beikirch 02/01/08   16.   Bill, you may have a good laugh too...re Vanunu 20:50  |  Zeev 02/01/08   17.   9. everytinme you raise Pollard US support for izzy goes down 20:50  |  US citizen 02/01/08   18.   protest bush`s visit 20:56  |  Umm Einav 02/01/08   19.   Pollard is an American traitor 22:22  |  American Patriot 02/01/08   20.   Bush`s visit to Jerusalem. 23:42  |  Maureen Ann 02/01/08   21.   perhaps `reunion of the weird sisters` 00:18  |  muslim 03/01/08   22.   No information on any intent to harm to president? Yeah right! 00:44  |  Shimon 03/01/08   23.   Pollard and Vannunu 01:30  |  Mark Lincoln 03/01/08   24.   WHY BOTHER? HE IS A BUFFON 02:30  |  Ragg 03/01/08   25.   Bush is brave 02:46  |  Federico Glez 03/01/08   26.   # 1 04:33  |  NEIL GOLAN 03/01/08   27.   # 2 LITERALLY 04:38  |  NEIL GOLAN 03/01/08   28.   John , YOUR MY MAN 04:46  |  NEIL GOLAN 03/01/08   29.   # 3 muslim 04:50  |  NG 03/01/08   30.   HEY Labhras 04:54  |  NAJI 03/01/08   31.   Impressive itinerary for President Bush... 06:17  |  Smadar 03/01/08

Today Online Nasrallah: We are holding the bodies of abducted IDF soldiers Responses: 120 Jerusalem seeks Bush's okay for IDF free hand in W. Bank Responses: 71 Amira Hass: Israel's West Bank presence is violent and arrogant Responses: 10 Israel Factor panel knows Clinton, wants Clinton win in Iowa Responses: 20 Aluf Benn: Israel must find good leaders, not settle scores from war Responses: 5 Rosner's Domain Iowa caucus: Here come the tribal leaders Factor panel: Better for Israel if Clinton wins Iowa Guest: Is it important for American Jews to learn Hebrew? Obama, Huckabee widen leads in Iowa, but anything could happen What Will the Palestinian Authority Do With All That Money? More Headlines 11:02 Qassam strikes northern Ashkelon; IDF strikes kill five Gazans 10:55 Nasrallah: Hezbollah has bodies of abducted IDF troops 09:01 Jerusalem seeks Bush okay for IDF free hand in West Bank 04:30 PA security forces restore public order in turbulent W. Bank city 11:09 After 500 years in hiding, Jews bring prosperity to Iberian town 09:39 Air traffic controllers launch partial strike at Ben-Gurion Airport 10:56 Agriculture Min. official says fears bird flu in Binyamina fowl 08:26 Hezbollah dismisses senior commander for wartime failures 08:21 University faculty strike becomes longest in Israel university history Previous Editions Select Day 02 jan 01 jan 31 dec 30 dec 28 dec 27 dec 26 dec 25 dec 24 dec 23 dec 21 dec 20 dec

Special Offers Advertisement Inbal Jerusalem Hotel Unbeatable rates at the Finest hotel in Jerusalem Long-term Israel programs MASA is your gateway. More programs. More grants. Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Dead Sea Salt Beauty and skin care from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 10% off! AMERICANS ONE MONTH LEFT US citizen in Israel beat online Democrats-Abroad Presidential Primary deadline.

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved