Jerusalem experienced its second snowfall of the winter today and the city where snow is a rarity, was virtually paralyzed. Public and private transportation came to a halt by mid-afternoon and interurban services in both directions ceased soon afterwards. The municipality’s snow clearing machinery was unable to cope with the downfall and stalled as the drifts piled high in the city’s streets. The Knesset’s afternoon session opened late and attendance was poorer than usual.
Police Minister Shlomo Hillel who was scheduled to answer questions, arrived an hour late as his car was unable to climb the Knesset hill and he had to walk the distance through the snow. Abandoned cars on the main thoroughfares added to the confusion of traffic. The only vehicles moving were jeeps, half tracks and the few cars whose owners had the foresight to equip them with snow chains. As evening fell, travelers found it impossible either to enter or leave Jerusalem.
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