Jerusalem - An Israeli official's request for a Christian abbot to remove his cross during a visit to the Western Wall in Jerusalem has ignited anger and discontent towards the Israeli government. The incident was captured on video by Christoph Schult, a reporter from Der Spiegel, and shows Abbot Nikodemus Schnabel from the Dormition Abbey in the Old City being told that his cross is deemed "really big and really inappropriate" for the site.
In response, Abbot Schnabel defends his right to wear the cross as part of his dress code as a Roman Catholic abbot. He expresses his dismay over the incident on Twitter, stating that it is disheartening to witness the worsening climate in Jerusalem under the new government. He emphasizes that Jerusalem should be a place where everyone can coexist peacefully.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1681548888187052032
The Western Wall Heritage Foundation issues an apology for the distress caused by the incident and clarifies that there are no specific rules or regulations regarding such matters at the Western Wall plaza.
The incident has drawn attention internationally, with the Palestinian ambassador to Germany, Laith Arafeh, denouncing the assaults targeting Christian priests, churches, and symbols. He sees this as a manifestation of the Israeli government's assertion of exclusive rights over the land.
Earlier, Israeli President Isaac Herzog had condemned the increasing acts of violence against Christians and their symbols, noting that such incidents had been on the rise in recent weeks and months.
Christian leaders in Jerusalem have reported incidents of harassment and vandalism, with Israeli soldiers even being arrested for spitting at an Armenian archbishop during a ceremony in the Old City. This incident was followed by further acts of vandalism against Armenian community buildings.
Overall, the incident at the Western Wall has sparked broader concerns about the treatment of Christian symbols and the climate in Jerusalem, drawing attention to the need for tolerance and respect among different religious communities in the region.