More changes as Israel focuses on the arrival Monday of U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at Ben Gurion International Airport in Air Force One. (Actually, there will be two Air Force One aircraft landing with senior American officials.)
About 40 US Army transport planes arrived last week already, carrying logistical equipment for the president’s visit, including armored vehicles, Secret Service vehicles, five White Hawk helicopters and a number of Black Hawk helicopters, and a limousine bearing steel doors nicknamed ‘The Beast,’ equipped to seal in its passengers and block out any biological or chemical attack, or gunfire.
The red carpet has already been laid out, and what had originally been scheduled as a straight welcome is now a full-scale state ceremony with a military band, speeches and a welcome by President Reuven Rivlin and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the tarmac.
Perhaps it was the sword dance in Riyadh that forced Israel’s leadership into reconsidering its welcome at the airport. (Kudos to BBC for terrific film!)
Now President Trump is expected to make a short speech at the airport, and so will President Rivlin and Prime Minister Netanyahu.
The Defense Ministry is preparing for hundreds of journalists and as many or more officials to be at the airport to greet the American leader as well.
One might easily mistake the event for a Nefesh B’Nefesh homecoming.