Obama heckled at Western Wall
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/07/24/art.obamawall.jpg caption="Obama visited the Western Wall early Thursday."]
(CNN) - Barack Obama has been greeted by enthusiastic - at times even wild - crowds throughout his trip abroad, but at least one man wasn't happy with the Democratic presidential candidate's visit to one of the most sacred spots in Jerusalem early Thursday morning.
During an unannounced visit to the Western Wall - during which he was escorted by the Wall's rabbi, Shmuel Rabinovich, a man only yards away from the Illinois senator repeatedly yelled "Obama, Jerusalem is not for sale! Obama, Jerusalem is not for sale!"
The comments come a day after Obama reiterated his stance Jerusalem should remain the capital city of Israel. Though he noticeably did not repeat his headline-grabbing June comment that the city should remain “undivided.”
Watch: Obama steps gingerly in Israel
Shortly before he arrived in Jerusalem Wednesday, a group of religious leaders there charged him with flip-flopping on the status of Israel’s capital, and called on him to re-commit to that position.
"I also have said that it is important that we don't simply slice the city in half, but I've also said that that's a final status issue. That's an issue that has to be dealt with with the parties involved — the Palestinians and the Israelis. It's not the United States' job to dictate the form in which that will take, but rather to support the efforts that are being made right now to resolve these very difficult issues that have a long history," he told reporters Thursday.
Jerusalem has also been claimed by Palestinian leaders as the capital of any future state. Congress passed a law declaring the city the capital of Israel, and saying it should remain undivided, but the U.S. Embassy has remained in Tel Aviv.
After a brief prayer, Obama walked to the Wall and left a note, as is custom, before placing his hand in the Wall and bowing his head. Meanwhile, the heckler continued his chant as Obama left the site.
Others who had gathered around attempted to obscure the heckler's words with chants of "Obama, Obama."
Obama's visit at the Wall lasted about 10 minutes. Obama noted later to reporters that his visit there was “rowdier than the last time.”
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What the heckler said doesn't even really make sense.
You can’t please everyone.
Good coverage. The Republican party needs your additional help.
ONE heckler? That's a story? Come on guys.
They heckle him in American so it's no surprise it happens overseas.
I think the heckler wanted Obama to bring that message back to our current administration that HAS sold our country to the lowest bidder.
It's time for Obama and others to get our jobs back, take our good name back, and just generally scrub the White House really good to get rid of the stench.
Wow. One wingnut criticizes Obama and CNN covers it as if it were a story. And this time the wingnut isn't even McCain.
HHHmmmmm must be a mccain supporter....
Hi Hater.
Let's see quickly the neocons try to make this what it is not.
One individual heckles Obama, and you folks at CNN try to turn it into a story? CNN, the Clown News Network.
It just seems to be that the Media has more positive things to say about Obama then John McCain, I think the Media is a trying to persuade the public to lean toward Obama, they are trader to our country for shore,
why does it say "McCain visited the wall early Thursday" under the picture of Obama?
The current sub title for the picture is incorrect. It should read "Obama visited the Western Wall early Thursday.".
"Shortly before he arrived in Jerusalem Wednesday, a group of religious leaders there charged him with flip-flopping on the status of Israel’s capital, and called on him to re-commit to that position."
Obama flip flop? Say it ain't so.
Finally,
There is at least one man in the world that will publicly dis Obama. I'm surprised the press actually reported it.
Barr '08
McCain visited the Western Wall early Thursday with a picture of Senator Obama ???......CNN is this Mistake?
When you have seen and studied, where this guy came from, like I have. There is not one word comes out of his mouth, that is not a lie..
There's always some nut in the crowd. The heckler would have been more appropriate for McCain who's wife might actually try to buy Jerusalem.
How can we succeed in Middle East if we keep on ignoring the needs of everybody except for Israel? Only justice will make long-lasting peace.
McCain eh?
He should be ashamed of himself to perform such an act in a location such as that. Wrong place.
Okay, that's not McCain in the picture. Get the caption right CNN.
"McCain visited the Western Wall early Thursday" Courtesy of AP ignores by CNN. Hilarious!
Obama,
America is not for sale either! You can have everything in the world except my vote!