Yerushalayim Preparing For US Presidential Visit (Photo Essay)

By BJLIfe/Sharon Altshul
Posted on 07/13/22

Jerusalem, Israel - July 13, 2022 - On the eve of the visit of United States President Joe Biden to Israel, thousands of flags US and Israeli flags are flying in Yerushalayim, while tens of thousands of extra Israeli security are arriving. 

For days metal barriers have been placed on the official motorcade route. Cars will be towed if left in the designated locations. Major roads are blocked not only to vehicles but also to pedestrians when the Presidential motorcade is to come through the area, as in previous US Presidential visits to Yerushalayim.

The Israel Government Press Office (GPO) and the Jerusalem Development Authority hosted an event, in honor of the official visit of the US President to the State of Israel at the Touro Restaurant in Yemin Moshe with views of the Old City walls. On the eve of the arrival date, BJL took a stroll past the King David Hotel where the Biden entourage is to be based on the way to the GPO dinner reception.

According to reports, the Biden media entourage is to include over 100 media, plus another 100 international journalists have converged in Yerushalayim for the July 13-15, 2022 official visit.

At the reception, US Ambassador Thomas Nides arrived and posed for photos with guests. Also attending were Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion and Deputy Mayor Fleur Hassan Nahoum, foreign journalists, and other invited dignitaries.

A very limited number of journalists will be allowed access to the US Presidential delegation. The GPO set up a special media facility in Mishkanot Sha'annanim for international journalists. Also, online coverage is accessible. Most residents are bracing for the closed streets and loud motorcade sirens, or have gone away for a few days to avoid the situation.

Yad Vashem was closed all day to visitors to prepare for Biden to make his first stop in Yerushalayim.

Ahead of the visit of the US President, Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid issued a joint statement announcing the establishment of a Strategic High-Level Dialogue on Technology under the leadership of the national security advisers in order to significantly enhance their strategic partnership in cutting-edge technologies. 

In the declaration, the leaders express their commitment to deepening bilateral engagements, strengthening their mutual innovation ecosystems, advancing critical emerging technologies, finding innovative solutions to global challenges, and promoting a shared agenda in the global arena.

The initial American delegation for advancing the Strategic High-Level Dialogue on Technology is expected to visit Israel in the coming months in order to discuss joint initiatives in Artificial intelligence, quantum, dealing with climate change, and improving pandemic preparedness.

The goal of the joint declaration is to express the special relationship between the US and Israel, anchor the partnership between the two countries, and position Israel alongside its leading ally the US in the field of technology, which tops the international agenda. The joint declaration also affirms the two countries' commitment to expanding cooperation in additional fields and dealing with technological challenges as a basis for the integration of significant forces that will shape the coming decade.

According to Lapid: "This joint announcement puts Israel at the forefront of global innovation and solidifies its status as a leading technological power. Our vision for one million people in hi-tech begins with international cooperation that will bring new opportunities for the hi-tech sector in Israel."

The issues that have been selected:

Pandemic preparedness – Exploring cooperative technology R&D ventures, including technology for disease surveillance and early warning, and for rapid medical countermeasure responses (within 60-90 days).

Climate – Cooperative R&D ventures and/or deploying technologies to drive equitable climate solutions (e.g., water reuse, solid waste management, clean and renewable energy). The main goal: Develop tools capable of having an impact on the global climate crisis.

Artificial intelligence – Cooperation on AI technologies in transportation, medicine, agriculture, regulation, and public sector ethics.

Quantum – Cooperation in the field of quantum information science

Israel will be the fourth country, after Great Britain, Australia, and Japan,  that has a similar partnership with the US in the fields of AI and quantum. This is being touted as indicative of Israel's economic resilience and its status as a leading country in the fields of technology and innovation.