US President Barak Obama will be attending the funeral in Jerusalem on Friday 27 Elul for former President Shimon Peres. The Latest reports state that Obama will be arriving on Friday morning, and will return to the United States on Friday following the funeral.

The first planes will land on Thursday, 26 Elul and a total of no less than six large US military planes will escort the presidential mission, bringing the array of security equipment to protect the US leader while in Israel. The Israel Foreign Ministry as early as Wednesday morning began making arrangement for the US entourage at Ben-Gurion International Airport to accommodate the planes – all necessary for Mr. Obama to attend the funeral.

The planes will be carry many items including armored vehicles which will be driven by Secret Service personnel, as well as bringing teams of security and medical personnel. Israel has already given the green light for the entourage, and the planes which touch down in the western area of Ben-Gurion International Airport near the area where official ceremonies are held for state leaders.

In addition to the American planes, Israel has already received requests from foreign nations to permit thirty additional planes to touch down. They too will be in the area of Airforce 1. There will also be private planes arriving, bringing VIPs planning to participate in the levaya.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)