President Pranab Mukherjee arrives in Palestine

RAMALLAH: President Pranab Mukherjee arrived here today for an overnight visit, the first by an Indian Head of State to Palestine, which comes amidst heightened tension between Israel and Palestinians in recent weeks which has led to heavy casualties.

Mukherjee flew in from Amman to Israel's Ben-Gurion airport in Tel Aviv and drove down to the Palestinian Authority (PA) territory where he has a packed programme before returning to Israel tomorrow for a three-day visit.

Reflecting the complicated situation, the President and his entourage drove from the Ben-Gurion airport to the Bitunia checkpoint which divides Israel from the Palestinian territory. At the checkpoint the President and members of his delegation had to change from Israeli vehicles to those arranged on the Palestinian side.

He was received at the checkpoint by Palestinian Education Minister, Sabri Saidan.