The men in uniform were surprised by the spontaneous visit, and received the president with unbridled joy and affection.
By GREER FAY CASHMANIsraeli police officers stand guard on the Temple Mount compound in Jerusalem's Old City(photo credit: REUTERS)
Jerusalemites are reputed to be hardy folk who are not afraid of wind, rain or snow. Many visited local supermarkets on Wednesday, and some also ventured to Mahane Yehuda where produce is more plentiful and cheaper, and where some of the restaurant proprietors kept their facilities open.One Jerusalemite who ventured out was not interested in making purchases but in showing appreciation to the Border Police.Israel’s number one citizen and Jerusalem’s most prominent resident President Reuven Rivlin could not bear the thought of Border Police units standing in the freezing cold without something to warm their insides, so he brought them hot tea.Being a father and a grandfather, he also showed concern as to whether they properly buttoned up and whether their caps were adjusted over their ears.The men in uniform were surprised by the spontaneous visit, and received the president with unbridled joy and affection.Rivlin first visited a unit stationed in the eastern part of the capital, and quoted the Biblical verse from the Book of Isaiah: “I have posted watchmen on your walls all the day and all the night…” Rivlin added that the prophet had omitted to say in the heat and in the cold.“We know that we can go to sleep and get up in the warmth of our homes, while you are guarding us. We know that while we are enjoying the heat you are suffering from the cold,” he told the patrol.Rivlin continued with his effort to make the men feel good about themselves, saying: “You are performing a vital task all year round and we appreciate this very much. We have you to thank that all Jerusalemites and all residents of Israel can remain in our homes, and I’m here to tell you that you warm our hearts.”Before leaving, Rivlin again made sure that all the men had sufficiently warm clothing, and voiced congratulations to the police, the army and Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat for learning the lessons of last year’s heavy snowfall, and taking sufficient precautions in advance of this year’s storms.“I’m a Jerusalemite amongst Jerusalemites, and one of the most beautiful festivals we have is the snow festival,” said Rivlin. “We have to accept it as a festival and not as a burden, and if we do that we can all enjoy it, and avoid accidents. There’s nothing more beautiful than Jerusalem bathed in white.”Rivlin proceeded to bring good wishes to another unit at the southern entrance to the city.
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