Driving down King David Street in the heart of Jerusalem, anyone would be forgiven for thinking they had taken a wrong turn and ended up in the United States.
In preparation for this week’s visit of George W Bush, the city has been decorated with thousands of American flags.
The presidential visit has meant a number of changes to the city. The potholes have been filled, the rubbish bins replaced with potted plants, and the roads industrially cleaned. (In fact, looking out of my office window I have seen the cleaning machines going up and down the street six times today already!)
This historic visit brings with it much disruption. Not only for tourists hoping to stay in Jerusalem – the presidential delegation has reserved all the rooms in the King David and the Dan Panorama hotels – but because the surrounding roads will be closed for the duration of the visit.
Fortunately, Mr Bush will be flown by helicopter from Ben Gurion airport to the capital, enabling the main Tel Aviv-Jerusalem motorway to remain open.
It is correct that a guest dignitary is treated well; after all, hospitality is a characteristic of the Jewish people. And it does mean that Jerusalemites are able to enjoy clean and pretty streets for a few days. But is he going to see the parts of Israel that will really show him what life is like for Israelis?
The President will have visited numerous five-star hotels, many houses of government and attended innumerable lavish dinners. Other than not being allowed to have butter on his chicken, there is nothing that will make his trip to Israel different from that of any other western country.
While the country is in the world’s spotlight, our efforts and expense should be spent on showing him how Israelis live on a daily basis.
Perhaps Mr Bush should be hosted in Sderot, and enjoy the same protection that Israel offers its own citizens. That might help him see the critical position Israel is in, and do what he can to push for a quick and peaceful solution.
Shabbat Shalom.
