Obama's limo- dubbed The Beast- broke after the driver put gas in the engine instead of diesel
All eyes on Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the two leaders are known to have a rocky relationship
Israelis are already infuriated by the trip as it comes just days before Passover and Obama's security protocols shut down much of JerusalemPresident Barack Obama's historic visit to Israel this morning had an embarrassing setback when his armored limo broke down on the way to the airport.
The custom General Motors Cadillac limo was relegated to a pick up truck after the driver accidentally put gas in the engine instead of diesel.
Mr Obama arrived in Tel Aviv Wednesday afternoon local time, and earlier that morning, the limo that was designated to his hotel was unable to move after the driver made the silly mistake.
Local news reports allege that it was the President's limo that was shipped over specially from Washington that broke down so he was forced to use the second vehicle that they brought over from the U.S.The car was pictured by local station 24 Hour News when it was on the back of a flatbed truck.
Since the car was not able to take him from the airport, thankfully Obama was always scheduled to leave the airport via helicopter in order to avoid passing through the Palestinian checkpoints that interrupt the route from Ben Gurion Airport to Jerusalem.
The United States Secret Service put out a statement about the incident, saying that it was a situation where it pays for them to be prepared.
'One of our protective vehicles experienced mechanical problems in Israel earlier today. This is why we bring multiple vehicles and a mechanic on all trips,' said Edwin Donovan, a spokesman for the Secret Service.
'Situations like this are planned for extensively by our advance teams so that the President's itinerary is unaffected by these types of issues.'
They did not confirm that whether or not the driver used gas or diesel, and if that was the cause of the malfunction. President Obama's first stop was to Israeli President Shimon Peres' house, and after planting a ceremonial tree and giving brief scripted remarks, he drove off in an armored limo.
Given the Secret Service statement, it appears that the President drove off in the second limo while the American technician worked on the first.
The President started off the trip by apologizing to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as he was overheard saying: 'it's embarrassing, our entourage. My wife, Michelle, teases me mercilessly'.He isn't kidding about the fact that he travels with a crew: the Israeli government issued a press kit that reports the President has a 600-person entourage, and they will occupy all 233 rooms in the King David Hotel during their stay.
By comparison, Madonna has a 200-person entourage when she tours, meaning that the President has a crew three-times the size of the best-known Material Girl.
Mr Obama must enjoy hanging out with a familiar group, as he reportedly agreed to do a cameo in the upcoming movie version of the show 'Entourage'.
Upon touchdown he called the U.S. Israel's 'strongest ally and your greatest friend.'
The kind words were traded on both sides, as Israeli President Shimon Peres welcomed Obama, declaring that 'A world without America's leadership, without her moral voice, would be a darker world.
'A world without your friendship, would invite aggression against Israel.'
In a veiled reference to tensions and regime changes in the region, President Obama added: 'The winds of change bring both promise and peril.'
'I see this visit as an opportunity to reaffirm America’s unbreakable bond and a chance to speak directly to Israelis and your neighbors,' President Obama said in remarks made at the airport'The United States stands with Israel because it is in our fundamental national security interest to stand with Israel.
'We stand together because we share a common story patriots.
'Our alliance is eternal, it is forever.'
In their personal interactions, President Obama said that it was 'good to see you, brother' to President Shimon Peres.
To Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he joked that it is 'good to see you.. and it's good to get away from Congress'.
President Barack Obama has arrived in Israel amid high security for crucial talks on the Israel/Palestine peace settlement, Syria and Iran.
In what is Mr Obama's first trip to Israel as President, he is expected to reassure America's top ally in the region that the country is still high on his agenda, and a number of public events are supposed to help reassure a nervous Israeli public.
That said, some actions speak louder than words as many have already begun resenting the visit because of the timing- just days before Passover..
