Israel puts finishing touches on preparations for Biden visit

Israeli authorities are holding a last rehearsal on the Ben Gurion airport immediately in preparation for the go to of US President Joe Biden. The American chief is scheduled to reach Wednesday afternoon for a three-day go to in Israel and the West Financial institution earlier than flying to Saudi Arabia. Cupboard ministers have been invited to the welcome ceremony to be held on the airport.

There’ll reportedly be no handshakes with the president or selfies for a number of causes. First off, Biden’s entourage needs to restrict his bodily contacts because of the coronavirus. The American organizers demanded that anybody who is predicted to strategy the president inside three meters submit a unfavourable coronavirus check 24 hours earlier than the go to. The organizers additionally need to maintain the ceremony quick due to the busy schedule and sure want to keep away from the embarrassment that befell throughout President Donald Trump’s 2017 go to, when junior Knesset member Oren Hazan pushed to the entrance and took a selfie with the American president.

The ministers will then take a bunch photograph with Biden, and each Biden and Prime Minister Yair Lapid will ship quick statements. Biden will likely be introduced with Israeli aerial protection methods, together with the Iron Dome and the still-under-development anti-missile laser protection system.

The following occasion on the agenda is a visit to the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial.

On Thursday morning, Biden and Lapid will meet privately on the Jerusalem Waldorf Astoria Resort earlier than being joined by their groups for a working session. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett may also attend that assembly. Biden and Lapid will maintain a press convention on the finish of the session.

Within the afternoon, the 2 leaders will likely be joined on Zoom by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Emirati chief Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan for a four-part summit.

Later within the afternoon, President Isaac Herzog is predicted to carry a proper reception at his Jerusalem residence. An announcement issued by Herzog’s workplace on July 10 learn that “quite a few members of employees, together with technicians, painters and stage managers, have been working laborious over the previous few days on the looks of the President’s Residence, which is able to quickly host the President of america with full pomp and circumstance. Preparations on the President’s Residence are in full swing, with diligent preparations from morning to nighttime, to make sure that President Biden’s go to will likely be a roaring success.”

Right now, Herzog tweeted, “On the President’s residence we’re making ready for and excited ahead of US President’s visit to Israel.” Herzog added to the message a brief video displaying American flags being ironed, the backyard being tended and the crimson carpet being rolled out. The video additionally invitations residents of Israel to observe reside the reception on Herzog’s social media accounts. In the course of the reception, Herzog will award the American chief with the Presidential Medal of Honor.

Within the night, Biden will attend the opening ceremony of the Maccabiah Video games (the Jewish Olympics) on the Jerusalem Teddy Stadium, the place he’ll meet with 250 Jewish-American athletes.

Friday morning will likely be devoted to the Palestinians, with Biden leaving Israel within the early afternoon.

For Biden to fly instantly from Israel to Saudi Arabia is seen by many as a constructive signal for peace. A number of steps have been advised that Saudi Arabia may take throughout Biden’s go to to showcase its efforts for rapprochement with Israel.

The go to will likely be closely secured. Based on an announcement by Israel’s police drive, greater than 16,000 law enforcement officials, troopers on land, air and sea and all of the nation’s safety businesses will likely be mobilized for that goal. As [part of “Operation Blue Shield 3,” the complex security arrangements will be under the direct orders of the Deputy Police Commissioner David Bitan.

Yesterday, the Jerusalem municipality invited the press to assist the operation of hanging 1,000 American and Israeli flags throughout the city. The municipality published a list of streets that will be closed according to Biden’s agenda. Traffic jams are expected over the visit.

Defense Minister Benny Gantz said today that Israel will update the President on progress made so far towards building a regional military alliance against Iran.  “In two days, President Biden will land here, and we will show him the integrated force building we are doing with partners throughout the region against Iran,” said Gantz, adding that Israel’s defense establishment will “have the task of developing this cooperation in the coming years, as the main means of curbing Iranian aggression in the region.”