Jerusalem’s King David Hotel, located on King David Street, is a sterile area that has entirely been taken over for the US presidential visit. All 233 rooms are at the disposal of the US presidential entourage.

Hotel officials report that the King David is no stranger to high level diplomatic visits, but this US presidential visit is exceptional. Hotel supervisors explain that there are many logistical issues that are not easily overcome, for example entry of deliveries during the presidential stay. Hotel employees and anyone in the building and complex must be identified, all displaying appropriate security badges, all under the watchful eye of the US Secret Service and Israeli security agencies.

Making things even more complicated is the upcoming Yomtov and the issue of preparing the five star hotel for Seder. The American entourage in the hotel this morning, Wednesday, 9 Nissan 5773, enjoyed a high end breakfast with matza, no bread.

Hotel management adds that equally challenging is the fact that the presidential entourage leaves on erev Shabbos and they will have just three hours to convert the area back to a tourist hotel in time for check in and Shabbos, and then of course, to provide for the Yomtov needs of guests.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)