Barack Obama to be limited to strict Kosher diet on Israel visit

http://www.telegraph.co.uk

The stringent dietary restrictions will be dictated by the timing of Mr Obama's arrival at Jerusalem's landmark King David Hotel on March 20 – after it has changed to a full religious menu in preparation for the start of the annual Jewish Passover festival five days later. Bosses at the 233-room King David say they are unable to make an exception for the presidential party. Pasta dishes will be very much off the menu, while dishes rich in vegetables will predominate – even on room service, which will operate 24-hours-a-day for the duration of the president's visit. "We're used to hosting heads of state and also American presidents, but this situation is very special for us because it's so close to Pesach [Passover]. For us it will be double the preparations," the hotel's manager, Dror Danino, told Haaretz newspaper. Jews observe Passover, which marks the exodus of the Israelite slaves from Egypt, by replacing traditional loaf with unleavened bread, known as matzah, while avoiding foods containing wheat, barley, rye, or oats.Such strictures may be something of a trial for Mr Obama, who has been known to indulge in rich foods during political meetings. In 2010, he ate cheeseburgers with the then Russian president, Dimitry Medvedev, at a restaurant in Arlington, Virginia in what became known as "the burger summit". Last November, he shared a lunch of white turkey chili and grilled chicken salad with the defeated Republican presidential candidate, Mitt Romney, at the White House.