Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter
Wing of Zion, the prime minister's official plane, sits ready for a flight to the United States, on June 22, 2024. (Lazar Berman/Times of Israel)
Wing of Zion, the prime minister’s official plane, sits ready for its first flight with Benjamin Netanyahu.
Netanyahu is headed to Washington for meetings with US President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, as well as a speech to Congress.
He is also expected to meet GOP nominee Donald Trump, though that has yet to be confirmed.
Wing of Zion is divided into four sections — the prime minister’s personal area, and those for his senior aides, security and junior staff, and the press in the back.
There is wood paneling between sections, which are lined with blue seats with white headrests.
The plane has flight attendants, mostly from Arkia, who are permanently assigned to the plane.
The interior of the prime minister’s official plane, Wing of Zion, on June 22, 2024. (Lazar Berman/Times of Israel)
The pilots are Air Force pilots, some in reserves and some in active service.
The plane has a conference room, an ad hoc surgery room, and open and classified communications networks that allow the prime minister to remain in touch with officials in Israel.
Outside, the Boeing 767-300 has a white belly, a gray stripe, and a blue top with a Star of David on the tail.
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There, I spoke with Shilgit, the head of an after-school program for underprivileged youth. Standing outside her destroyed center, Shilgit said it was a miracle that no children were hurt and spoke about the community coming together in the hours since.
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From the Liveblog of
Monday, July 22, 2024
