National Security Advisor, Tom Donilon. Photo: wiki commons.

Israelis are abuzz today regarding an incident near Jerusalem over the weekend involving National Security Advisor Tom Donilon and his motorcade, after they allegedly broke local laws in order to move through a traffic jam.

According to Israeli media reports and an Israeli official who spoke with The Algemeiner, Donilon’s motorcade activated their sirens and weaved in and out of traffic lanes in order to bypass a backup of vehicles due to a fire near Jerusalem.

“The motorcade which carried U.S. diplomats, was trying to bypass a large traffic jam in Jerusalem, endangering other drivers, going to the right and the left of the yellow lines, and running lights,” the Israeli official with links to the government said.  “Generally behaving aggressively.”

The official says 5 vehicles with Donilon were involved in the incident and that the Israeli Foreign Ministry stated that sirens are only to be activated by officials visiting from different countries if they are being escorted by local Israeli security.

“The officials in the Foreign Ministry said that according to procedure, diplomats are not allowed to engage sirens unless they’re escorted by internal security.  Members of the diplomatic community are privileged to immunity but they are expected to behave in accordance with local laws, especially on the road.”

Donilon’s trip took place just before Secretary of State Clinton arrived in Israel where she met with Israeli President Shimon Peres on Monday.