Operation ‘Blue Shield 2′ is underway in Jerusalem, with thousands of Israeli police, Border Guard police officers and volunteers deployed throughout the capital to secure the visit of U.S. Vice President Mike Pence.
JewishPress.com will carry the vice president’s arrival live on our home page.
The vice president’s aircraft is expected to arrive at Ben Gurion International Airport shortly after 6 pm Israel time Monday evening.
Residents and visitors to Jerusalem are being advised to follow the WAZE application or to call the Police hotline by dialing 110, or monitor media updates, in order to avoid gridlock in the city.
Here are the latest updates on traffic blocks so far:
21.1.18 – Sunday from 13:00 onwards – King David Street will close to transportation in both directions. It is expected to reopen upon the end of the visit, on 23 January in the evening.
19:00 – Route number will close gradually and alternately – from Ganot interchange to Sakharov interchange. In addition, access to Highway 1 will be blocked from Highway 6 at the Ben Shemen interchange, and traffic will be diverted to Route 443. Although this is a relatively short-term closure, it is recommended to avoid reaching these areas within this timeframe and to use alternative routes (Road 443).
After 20:00 – Sakharov, Weizman, Shazar, Ramban, Paris Square, Keren Hayesod and Washington will be blocked for short periods of time and alternately for vehicular traffic during the visit.
22.1.18 – Monday – throughout the day – The Palomar route, Jabotinsky, HaNasi, the Ari, Gaza, Nayot, Herzog, Shneur Zalman, Burla, the Museum Avenue, the Minhala Junction, Wise, the Clock Junction – the Knesset and Balfour will be blocked For short periods of time and alternately for vehicular traffic during the visit.
23.1.18 – Tuesday – from morning until afternoon – delegates of Palomar, Jabotinsky, the President, the Ari, Gaza, Herzog, Zalman Shneur, Bezeq, Shmuel Byte, Herzl, Ma’ale HaShalom, the Dung Gate, the Ophel Road, Hebron Road, Hazaz, Ben Zvi, Shazar, Weizman, Ben Gurion and Ganot Sakharov will be blocked for short periods of time and alternately for vehicular traffic during the visit.
Afternoon – Towards the end of the visit, traffic is expected to be closed gradually and alternately between Highway 1 and west, from the Sakharov interchange to the Ganot interchange. In addition, access to vehicles from Highway 1 to Highway 6 at the Ben Shemen interchange will be blocked. The movement will be directed to Route 443. Although this is a relatively short-term closure, it is recommended to avoid reaching these areas within these time ranges and to use alternative routes (Route 443).