Jerusalem blanketed by snow as winter storm continues

Jerusalemites woke up to a world of white on Thursday morning, as the city experienced its heaviest snowfall since 1992.

Jerusalem municipal official Elisha Peleg told Army Radio that 10 to 15 centimeters (4 to 6 inches) of snow had accumulated in the center of Jerusalem, with higher amounts piling up in outlying areas.

„The downtown area is bathed in white,” Peleg said.

He urged residents to avoid driving in the snow-covered streets. The snow blocked the main Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway and public transportation inside Jerusalem was operating on a reduced basis. Schools in the city were closed.

President Shimon Peres came outside to enjoy the snow after his security guards built a snowman at the entrance to the presidential residence in Jerusalem.

„Jerusalem has many colors,” Peres said. „In the morning in the sunshine, she is golden. In the sunset, she is blueish. But when she is white, it so rare, so beautiful, so unifying. Whatever happens in Jerusalem is a blessing. This time is a blessing in white.”

Much of northern Israel was also paralyzed by snow, with 30 centimeters (12 inches) said to have accumulated in Safed, Israel Radio reported.

Even the Negev Desert in southern Israel saw some snowfalls. Dimona received snow for the first time in five years, shutting down schools there on Wednesday. Snow also fell in Sde Boker and Mitzpe Ramon.

Over the past week, Israel has been battered by its worst winter storm in two decades, with heavy rains and high winds affecting much of the country. Flooding has occurred in numerous regions, including Tel Aviv.

The storm has cost the Israeli economy at least an estimated 300 million shekels (around $80 million), according to the Israel Manufacturers’ Association. Much of the economic loss could be attributed to people being unable to reach their places of work due to traffic caused by roads being closed by flooding.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered the director-general of his office to look into granting compensation to people in need of assistance following the severe stormy weather.

Netanyahu held a meeting about the weather situation on Wednesday at the Israel Police’s national traffic control center.

„The systems are working well,” Netanyahu said. „We need to change the rules regarding compensation for natural disaster victims. I think we should allow emergency assistance to families and people who have lost everything because of flooding. As of now, there is no set legal arrangement. Therefore, we need to give emergency care, as we have done on other occasions.”

On Wednesday night, Netanyahu also requested an inquiry into whether water prices could be lowered due to the abundant recent rainfall.

Wednesday’s meeting at the national traffic control center was attended by Internal Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch and Israel Police Commissioner Insp. Gen. Yohanan Danino, as well as a number of fire, rescue and local municipal officials.

„There is a system here that works very well during routine times, so even during emergencies things work smoothly and professionally, with full cooperation,” Danino said. „Because of the success during routine times, we are trained and ready for emergencies.”

Netanyahu thanked Israelis for their patience during this week’s stormy weather.

„[Israelis] understand that after the traffic jams end, we will be left with full water reservoirs, and we need this water,” Netanyahu said.