US President Joe Biden will arrive in Israel at 03:25 p.m. aboard Air Force One on Wednesday, the latest version of his itinerary said.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
He will be greeted by Prime Minister Yair Lapid, President Isaac Herzog, and other senior ministers and officials as part of a state reception ceremony held in his honor. Afterward, Biden will be presented the Iron Dome battery and possibly the laser interception system Israel is developing as well.
Biden was originally scheduled to visit the Palmachin air base for an exhibit of weapons, but organizers later decided to hold the event at Ben-Gurion International Airport in order to create more time in the president's schedule and minimize the travel of his security, which includes 80 vehicles and necessitates road closures.
After leaving Ben-Gurion Airport, Biden will visit the Yad Vashem World Holocaust Remembrance Center between 05:55 and 06:45 p.m, accompanied by Lapid. Afterward, around 7:00 p.m., the president will arrive at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem, together with his 500-member entourage.
On Thursday morning, at 11:15 a.m., Biden will arrive at the Waldorf Astoria hotel and have a one-on-one meeting with Lapid. Although expected to last 15 minutes, the meeting might take longer, based on past experience.
Although the leader's schedule begins relatively late in the morning, it does not indicate that his work day will begin at that time. Even while in Israel, Biden is expected to engage in his day-to-day responsibilities as president of America, and matters unrelated to the visit.
After the Biden-Lapid meeting, officials from American and Israeli officials are scheduled to convene until 12:15 p.m., with a press conference to follow immediately after.
At 1:30, Biden and Lapid will attend the I2U2 virtual meeting with leaders of the United Arab Emirates and India, with the conversation expected to focus on Iran.
At 02:15 p.m., Biden will return to the King David Hotel, possibly for a short rest. At 04:15 p.m., he will meet with Herzog at The President's Residence until 05:15, after which he will hold a short, 15-minute meeting with Opposition Leader Benjamin Netanyahu.
A ceremony is scheduled for 05:30 p.m. on Thursday, during which Herzog will present Biden with the Presidential Medal of Honor.
At 06:15 p.m., Biden will return to the hotel again, and at 07:50 p.m. will attend the Maccabiah Games to meet with athletes of the US delegation. At 08:30 p.m., the leader will return to the hotel again.
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
On Friday, Biden is scheduled to visit a Palestinian hospital in east Jerusalem at 11 a.m. The Augusta Victoria Hospital serves the local Palestinian population and is funded by the US. At the hospital, Biden might announce the increase of aid to the Palestinian Authority from $100 million to $200 million.
Biden is expected to visit the east Jerusalem institution, a first for a US president, without being accompanied by Israeli officials, a matter that has been criticized by right-wing lawmakers.
At 12:05 p.m., Biden is expected to head out to Bethlehem, where he will meet with PA President Mahmoud Abbas.
At 13:45, he will travel to Ben-Gurion Airport, where Herzog and Lapid will bid him farewell as part of a closing ceremony.
He will take off at 02:00 p.m. on a plane headed to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the first official flight from Israel to the kingdom.
