Feared missile attack on presidential helicopter prompts last-minute changes in Bush’s scheduled arrival in Israel

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Feared missile attack on presidential helicopter prompts last-minute changes in Bush’s scheduled arrival in Israel


Our military sources disclose that concerns about a possible anti-air missile attack on US President George W. Bush’s aircraft and the helicopters carrying him to Jerusalem, brought his arrival forward by two hours. He will travel by road rather than helicopter.

According to the amended timetable, Air Force One lands at Ben Gurion Wednesday, Jan. 9, at 11:30 a.m. Israel Time, two hours before planned. Instead of flying by helicopter to Jerusalem, the president and his party will drive in convoy from the airport to the capital.

The last-minute changes were worked out by US and Israeli security officials - partly in consideration of the low-cloud, rainy and misty weather forecast for the president’s three-day stay. In such weather, helicopters have to fly low under the cloud cover. This would expose them to potential Palestinian anti-air attack.

Israeli police report the main Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway will be closed to traffic one way from 12:15 to 13:30 p.m. during the presidential convoy's drive to Jerusalem. But disruptions before and after President Bush’s arrival are expected to last several hours. Motorists will be directed to Highway 443.

Sections of the Trans-Israel highway around Ben Shemen and Ben which connect with the Tel Aviv-Jerusalem highway will also be closed to traffic.

Our military sources report that the Israeli military has set up provisional positions manned with large-scale strength on the hills overlooking the international airport to secure Bush’s landing against terrorist attack.

Tuesday, as weather conditions worsened, the heavy US Marines helicopters, flying over Jerusalem with Israeli Air Force fighter escort since the beginning of the week, were grounded at the Hebrew University-Givat Ram pad they have been using.

That morning, the Jerusalem police raised its security alert to Gimel Grade – one short of emergency – until Friday morning. More than 7,000 Israeli police and security personnel were mobilized for the Bush visit.