The city today dug itself out of the worst snow storm in years. The main highways leading in and out of the city were cleared by 10 o’clock last night but snow plows and sanders took longer to clear paths through the city’s streets. Some Knesset members and staff were forced to spend the night in the parliament building. The road to Hadassah Hospital on the outskirts of town remained partially blocked through the night. Hospitals closer to the city’s center took some of the caseload.
More than 200 persons were treated at first aid stations last night for conditions ranging from frostbite to broken limbs suffered by slipping on the ice.
Many of those treated were “tourists” from other parts of Israel who came to Jerusalem to see the snow but failed to equip themselves with the proper clothing. Army half-tracks brought bread and milk to settlements in the Jerusalem area this morning which were closed to normal traffic. Employes of food factories and utility plants were driven to work today in specially equipped vehicles.
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