Bush en route to Israel; Jerusalemites brace for traffic jams

Political sources say US president won't be pressing Israel on sensitive issues such as construction in settlements, outpost evacuation; meanwhile, Jerusalem residents brace for major disruptions as taxi driver warns of 'chaos'

Roni Sofer|Published: 05.14.08 , 00:50

Coming back to Israel: United States President George W. Bush will be back in Israel Wednesday for his second visit in four months. This time, the American leader will be in the country to mark Israel's 60th anniversary and take part in the Presidential Conference organized by Shimon Peres.

Meanwhile, Jerusalem residents are bracing for traffic jams and sealed off streets due to the tight security around Bush, while Prime Minister Olmert and senior ministers are preparing for their planned meetings with the visiting president.

Bush, Olmert to meet again (Photo: AFP)

Bush, who will arrive in Israel with his wife Laura, is scheduled to meet Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Defense Minister Ehud Barak. He is also slated to deliver a speech at the Knesset.

Officials in Jerusalem estimate that the American president will not be pressing Israel on sensitive issues such as construction in the Jerusalem-area and settlement blocs or outpost evacuation. However, the US leader is expected to reiterate his desire to see Israel and the Palestinians agree on a framework for a peace deal by the end of the year.

During his visit, Bush is expected to meet with Prime Minister Olmert twice. In the talks, the two leaders are planning to discuss the issues that truly bother both Washington and Jerusalem, first and foremost the growing Iranian involvement in provoking regional tensions and Tehran's ongoing pursuit of nuclear capabilities.

An official in Jerusalem noted that the visit also comprises "highly important strategic, diplomatic, and security issues."

'Downtown area a lost cause'

Bush is scheduled to arrive in Jerusalem around noontime, and residents of the capital are already bracing for some major disruptions. However, local resident Yoel Komet told Ynet that he is happy to see Bush arrive and doesn't mind the hassle.

"I love Bush, a man who supports us, and therefore I’m glad that he's arriving," he said.

Jerusalemites brace for traffic nightmare (Photo: Reuters)

However, taxi drivers in the capital are expected to suffer the most as they cope with massive traffic jams around town. Cab driver Dudu Adika says he's expecting "chaos."

"Everything was sterile, there was no getting through," he said, referring to Bush's previous visit. "Taxi drivers are suffering. The entire downtown area is a lost cause, a catastrophe. They're killing us with this visit."

"They're having a good time, eating, drinking, resting, and driving in convoys, while the Jerusalemite public suffers," Adika concluded.