Not Even The Western Wall Is Sacred … Did Hussein’s Own People Leak His Prayer Note?
Is Anything Sacred?
by Zvika Krieger (TNR)
Israeli newspaper Ma’ariv was lambasted for printing the note that Obama placed in the Western Wall, allegedly stolen by a Yeshiva student. “Notes which are placed in the Western Wall are between the person and his Maker; Heaven forbid that one should read them or use them in any way,” said the Chief Rabbi of the Western Wall. “This sacrilegious action deserves sharp condemnation and represents a desecration of the holy site.”
But according to a statement from Ma’ariv yesterday, the paper alleges that the Obama campaign actually leaked the note to reporters before Obama even placed it in the wall.* Yediot Aharonot, Israel’s most popular daily, claims to have also received a copy of the note in advance but decided not to print it.* As a Ma’ariv spokesman told the Jerusalem Post:
Barack Obama’s note was approved for publication in the international media even before he put in the Kotel [Western Wall], a short time after he wrote it at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem.
The Obama campaign is denying the note was “approved for publication.” At this point, it’s their word against that of the two Israeli papers. Obama may be above politicizing our troops, but if they did approve the note for publication before he placed it, then I guess he isn’t above politicizing religion.*
*Post updated to reflect the Obama campaign’s denial.
Ben Smith (Politico)
Israeli paper publishes Obama’s wall note
The Israeli paper Maariv obtains the note Obama left at the Western Wall in Jerusalem and puts a photograph of it on its front page.
The handwriting, beneath the letterhead of the King David Hotel, does appear to be Obama’s. Visitors traditionally stick notes of prayer into the wall.
The note says:
Lord,
Protect my family and me. Forgive me my sins and help me guard against pride and despair.
Give me the wisdom to do what is right and just.
And make me an instrument of your will.
The paper reports that the note was taken by a yeshiva student who was at the wall at the time — a mark of how virtually nothing remains private.
The rabbi of the Western Wall, also known as the Wailing Wall, condemned its publication.
 |
|
