US President Joe Biden landed at Ben-Gurion International Airport at 3pm today (Wednesday) for his first presidential visit to Israel and his 10th throughout his political career.
Biden’s red-carpet welcome was followed by a tour of Israeli air defense systems set up in a secure compound at the airport.
The display includes the Iron Beam laser rocket defense system, designed to work in tandem with systems like Iron Dome to handle smaller projectiles.
He will finish his day with a visit to Yad Vashem World Holocaust Remembrance Center in Jerusalem. He and his entourage will then stay overnight at the King David Hotel.
On Thursday, Biden is scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid, President Isaac Herzog and Opposition Leader Benjamin Netanyahu.
Lapid and Biden are to participate in the first-ever I2U2 virtual summit with the leaders of India and the United Arab Emirates.
That evening, Biden’s itinerary includes attending the opening ceremony of the Maccabiah Games with Lapid and Herzog.
On Friday, Biden will visit Augusta Victoria Hospital on East Jerusalem’s Mount of Olives followed by a meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
He and his entourage will then take off in Air Force One for Saudi Arabia – on a rare direct flight from Tel Aviv — for the GCC+3 summit on Saturday with the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
A reported 16,000 police officers are deployed to ensure Biden’s safety, and many roads in Jerusalem, as well as the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway, will be closed to public traffic.
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