Channels

Photo: GPO
US President Barack Obama
Photo: GPO

Obama, world leaders arrive for Peres's funeral

Royalty, heads of state, and important ministers have begun arriving to Israel for former President Shimon Peres's funeral.

World leaders and high ranking world officials have begun arriving in Israel for former President and Prime Minister Shimon Peres's funeral on Mt. Herzl on Friday, with US President Barack Obama landing at approximately 8:30am on Air Force One.

 

 

Other world leaders and dignitatires also arrived overnight Thursday and Friday morning, including US Secretary of State John Kerry, French President Francois Hollande, Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto, Egyptian Foreign Minister Samah Shoukry, and Prince Charles of Wales. Moreover, shortly after 9am, PA President Mahmoud Abbas left Ramallah as he made his way to the funeral.

 

President Obama lands in Israel (Photo: EPA) (Photo: EPA)
President Obama lands in Israel (Photo: EPA)

 

 

 

US President Barack Obama arrives in Israel (Photo: Government Press Office)
US President Barack Obama arrives in Israel (Photo: Government Press Office)

 

Traffic on Route 1 has been completely stopped in both directions since 7:30am and will reopen to traffic at 9:00am. Route 1 will also be closed at the end of funeral between 12:30pm and 2:00pm. The Israel Police has asked the public to use alternate routes to Jerusalem, and warn of heavy traffic on routes 6, 431, 38, and 443.

 

Tony Blair arrives in Israel for the funeral (Photo: Israel Airport Authority)
Tony Blair arrives in Israel for the funeral (Photo: Israel Airport Authority)

 

The funeral will occur in two parts; the first part, which is expected to be attended by 5,000 people, will be a goodbye ceremony on Mt. Herzl which will occur on the plaza in front of Theodore Herzl's grave. Peres's casket will be placed there as he is eulogized.

 

Mexican President Enrique Pene Nieto arrives in Israel (Photo: Israel Airports Authority)
Mexican President Enrique Pene Nieto arrives in Israel (Photo: Israel Airports Authority)

Egyptian Foreign Minister Shoukry arrives in Israel (Photo: Israel Airports Authority)
Egyptian Foreign Minister Shoukry arrives in Israel (Photo: Israel Airports Authority)

French President Francios Hollande arrives in Israel (Photo: Israel Airports Authority)
French President Francios Hollande arrives in Israel (Photo: Israel Airports Authority)

 

The second part of the ceremony will see Peres's casket lowered into the ground next to Yitzhak Rabin. The ceremony will be attended by 500 people.

 

The funeral itself will begin at 9:00am on Mt. Herzl and will led by Gilad Yadin, where his body will be met by foreign leaders and dignitaries. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, Speaker of the Knesset Yuli Edelshtein, and the President of the High Court of Justice Miriam Naor will arrive a half hour after the

 


פרסום ראשון: 09.30.16, 08:29
 new comment
Warning:
This will delete your current comment