Trump visits Western Wall

Western Wall    (Photo by Golasso)

During his current visit to Israel, President Trump made a point of partaking in a Western Wall ritual: he placed a note inside one of its cracks, hopefully with a prayer for world peace.

This tradition is practiced by many.  So why is it such big news for Trump?  As a sitting United States president, he is the first to visit this holiest site of Judaism.  Others have studiously avoided doing so because of the political implications.  It is an act bound to raise questions about whose side the United States is on when it comes to Jerusalem: a core territory within the dispute between Israelis and Palestinians.

First Lady Melania Trump was meanwhile “seen standing in front of the small portion of the wall devoted to women.”

While in Israel, President Trump will also be meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.  It is expected that the two will show solidarity when delivering public remarks.

Resources

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/trump-becomes-first-sitting-us-president-to-visit-the-western-wall/ar-BBBosoW?OCID=ansmsnnews11 

Copyright May 22, 2017 by Linda Van Slyke   All Rights Reserved