Condoleeza Rice will begin her trip in Cairo with talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, from where she will fly to Israel. She will then meet with PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) in Ramallah this afternoon. Dr. Rice will round out her day this evening in Jerusalem, with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and other government figures, following a joint dinner.
Rice and Olmert will discuss what should be the appropriate international reaction in general, and that of Israel and the U.S. in particular, to the Iranian threat. The explosive situation in Gaza caused by Hamas-Fatah tensions, and its ramifications upon Israel, will also be discussed.
Both Rice's arrival to and departure from Ramallah will block all Jewish traffic between Jerusalem and the Beit El/Shilo/Ofrah/Psagot/Eli areas, affecting thousands of people. MK Uri Ariel (National Union), a former mayor of Beit El, protested the decision to close the roads for Rice's trips. "There is no need to so sorely affect the fabric of life of the residents and make thousands of drivers miserable," he said. "There are other security and transportation alternatives [for Rice]."
Rice and Olmert will discuss what should be the appropriate international reaction in general, and that of Israel and the U.S. in particular, to the Iranian threat. The explosive situation in Gaza caused by Hamas-Fatah tensions, and its ramifications upon Israel, will also be discussed.
Both Rice's arrival to and departure from Ramallah will block all Jewish traffic between Jerusalem and the Beit El/Shilo/Ofrah/Psagot/Eli areas, affecting thousands of people. MK Uri Ariel (National Union), a former mayor of Beit El, protested the decision to close the roads for Rice's trips. "There is no need to so sorely affect the fabric of life of the residents and make thousands of drivers miserable," he said. "There are other security and transportation alternatives [for Rice]."