Final arrangements being made for Sharon’s funeral

Final preparations are being made this morning at Anemone Hill on the grounds of Ariel Sharon’s 1,000-acre Sycamore Farm for the burial of the 85-year-old former premier.

Six large screens have been erected at the site to project video from the funeral to thousands of expected attendees.

With the ceremony set to host nearly two dozen leaders from around the world, including US Vice President Joe Biden, security is tight. Some 800 police and at least two Iron Dome anti-rocket batteries have been deployed to the general area, which is in the northwestern Negev, close to the border with the Gaza Strip.

More than 800 officers involved in security operations in the south area. Police traffic units will escort the convoy to the funeral area.

— Micky Rosenfeld (@MickyRosenfeld) January 13, 2014

Roads around the funeral area, including some highways leading from Jerusalem to Sycamore Farm, are closed.

A full military funeral is slated to take place at 2 p.m., when Sharon’s casket will be carried by eight IDF major generals and buried alongside the grave of Sharon’s wife Lili.