HAARETZ: Israel is planning the visit by Pope Benedict XVI down to the last detail, even holding dress rehearsal Sunday to prepare for the pontiff's arrival at Ben-Gurion International Airport on Monday.
The rehearsal, orchestrated by the Israel Airports Authority, will involve all the relevant bodies, a red carpet, an honor guard and the Israel Defense Forces Orchestra.
The pope is scheduled to take off for Israel on a special Royal Jordanian flight from Amman at 10:30 A.M. Monday, and will arrive at Ben-Gurion about 45 minutes later.
The vice president of Royal Jordanian, Hussein Dabbas, who is in charge of the company's Israel office, will accompany the pope on the fight.
In addition to the pope's 40-person entourage, some 70 journalists will also be on the flight.
President Shimon Peres and senior government officials will be at the official welcome ceremony.
The Shin Bet security service's VIP protection unit is responsible for the immediate security for the pope and for the top officials present to welcome him.
From Ben-Gurion, Benedict will be flown by Israel Air Force helicopter to the helipad on Mount Scopus, to avoid closing the Tel Avic-Jerusalem road with a papal motorcade.
Benedict XVI will stay at the papal nuncio's residence on the Mount of Olives. >>> By Zohar Blumenkrantz and Jonathan Lis, Haaretz Correspondents and Agencies | Sunday, May 10, 2009
