US President Barack Obama will have a busy itinerary scheduled during his visit to Jerusalem next month. The Jerusalem municipality and the Prime Minister’s office are planning an interesting and memorable visit for the president as well as the hundreds of journalists expected to cover the event.
Code-named “Unbreakable Alliance,” the president’s visit to Israel will begin with a state reception following his landing in Israel on Wednesday, March 20. According to the itinerary released in Yediot Aharonot, President Obama will be welcomed by a state reception where he will hear speeches by President Shimon Peres and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. President Obama will also speak.
The President will then fly to Jerusalem directly to President Peres’s residence and visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum, and then Mount Herzl, laying wreaths at Herzl’s tomb and Yitzhak Rabin’s tomb.
In the afternoon, the U.S. President will be hosted at the prime minister’s house where discussions will be held about Iran, Syria, the peace process and Jonathan Pollard, followed by a joint press conference.
On Thursday, President Obama will depart for Ramallah and meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. At some point during the day, following a visit to the Israel Museum, examining a model of the Second Temple Period in Jerusalem, and viewing the Dead Sea Scrolls with Prime Minister Netanyahu, the President will also give a public speech for the benefit of Israelis.
The White House has requested that at least 1,000 Israelis be in attendance for Obama’s public address.
On his last day in Jerusalem, Friday, March 22, the president will breakfast with Prime Minister Netanyahu in his home or at the King David hotel. President Obama will then inspect an Iron Dome battery with Netanyahu and meet with soldiers in charge of the its operation.
A farewell ceremony will be held for President Obama at Ben Gurion International Airport at 1:00 PM local time on Friday, March 23. From there, the president will fly out to Jordan to meet with King Abdullah.