JERUSALEM (VINnews) — A German priest claimed Wednesday that he had been asked to remove his cross while visiting the Western Wall. Th priest, who was accompanied by a German cabinet minister, refused to comply with the request, stating that it was disrespectful to him and denied his human rights.
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Footage from the incident shows the priest protesting as he is told that his religious symbol is ‘inappropriate’ for the site.
He was also accused of committing a provocation by a local usher. “Sad to see how the climate in this wonderful city is changing for the worse under the new government,” the priest, Nikodemus Schnabel, said in a tweet.
I do not believe a German priest has the right to walk into the Western Wall with a large cross on his chest.
Every holy place has its rules and those must be respected.
This is true for obvious historical, religious, and civil reasons. https://t.co/fwtBtliKZH
— Rabbi E. Poupko. #FreeEvanGershkovich (@RabbiPoupko) July 19, 2023
Schnabel, a prominent member of the Benedictine Order serving in Jerusalem, was escorting German Education Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger, on her visit to the holy Jewish site when he was approached by an usher and told he must remove his cross which she saw as a provocation, despite his explanation that he was a man of the Church. The usher claimed that all visitors to the Western Wall are asked to do the same.
Schnable voiced his shock at the request. “You do not respect me and deprive me of my human rights,” he said. The visiting minister was also dismayed, and an official complaint was lodged with the Foreign Ministry, which was quick to demand explanations from the Western Wall Heritage Foundation.
Officials in the foundation said there was no new law or regulation but that requests were made when crosses were large in size and clearly displayed out of respect to the Jewish worshippers. They claimed Jews wearing a clearly visible Star of David are also asked the same when they enter Temple Mount and that no Jews would enter a church with tefillin or even with headcovering. They added that perhaps the usher had failed to communicate well in English and that the German delegation had completed its tour without the cross being removed, as was suggested.
“Unfortunately, we are seeing too many incidents that causer the appearance that there is hostility towards Christianity and Christians and that is harmful to Israel’s reputation and must stop,” an unnamed official in Jerusalem said
Germany’s consulate in Ramallah expressed solidarity with Schnabel. “We share his concern about the limitations placed on the space of some faiths in Jerusalem. Mutual respect and tolerance are the sources of the holy city’s unique character.”
Schnabel, who served at the head of the Dormition Abbey in Jerusalem and was an adviser to the German Foreign Ministry, has been leading a campaign in Germany and among Christians worldwide to inform them of the difficult situations Christians in Israel are in and the growing number of incidents of abuse and attack – including being spat on – that they endure.
In an interview he gave in 2016, he said that he himself sometimes covers his cross when entering the holy sites of other faiths and that Jews remove their head covering when entering a church. “It is a matter of honor for me,” he said at the time. This would seem to indicate that Schnabel knew very well what he was doing with a cross at the Western Wall and intended to make the provocation in order to prove his point about Christian mistreatment in Israel.
The Western Wall Heritage Foundation later issued an apology for the incident. “We apologize for any distress caused. The Western Wall is open to all. It should be emphasized that there are no regulations regarding this matter at the Western Wall Plaza. The usher approached and politely asked if it would be possible to cover the cross to prevent any discomfort, as has recently occurred in the Old City, out of a desire to respect both the visitor and the site. When he refused, entry was obviously not denied, and the usher respected the decision and continued on her way,” a statement read.
If he wanted to go to a mosque and they told him the same thing, how fast do you think he would rip it off his neck and bow down in submission?
OMG, get real. People walk into the kosel plaza with a great deal more provocative clothing.
This German Priest knows exactly what he was doing was wrong and he shows no respect for Jews.
Also, interesting that he was told to remove the cross. Because in the Megilos HaAtzmaut it sates that Israel the “Jewish” homeland will protect all faiths and religion.
NonJews if all types prayed and even offered sacrifices at the Beis Hamidash. Shlomo Hamelech even prayed that their prayers be accepted. This is his religion, don’t cause needless agitation. A better idea is to refrain from disrespectful behaviour and frivolity by our Amcha . Start with that.
any german should not be allowed at the kosel
I would love to be a fly on the wall when this self-righteous priest visits a Muslim holy site with his cross. The only question is will they behead him with the cross or will they leave the cross in place.
A tzudraiter…
Grow a pair. Show some basic decency.
He was within his rights and should have been left alone.
He was really close to the Dome of the Rock and Al Aqsa he should have tried his luck getting in there with his cross.
Also where was he when Christians were/are being persecuted in places like Lebanon whose Christian population has been steady shrinking
Places like Saudi Arabia will not even allow you in certain places unless you are Muslim. Places in Italy tell you how to dress before they will give you entrance. The entire strict Muslim countries will not allow women to be seen wearing anything but Burkahs. Israel can have their rules, though it should be known before entering.
Too damn bad. Our Holy Land, our rules. If you don’t like it, don’t let the door hit you on the rear end on your way out.
Poor German
Learn a little history on what German and Christian Persecution is
And what it means to deprive people of human rights
Many years ago I visted the Vatican and was asked to remove my hat. By the goyim, removing one’s hat is a sign of reverence.
I didn’t but it did not make the tour guide respect me.
Typical woke baby
The usher’s signal got crossed….
He voz just following zeh orders today Jerusalem tmrw zeh vorld
Why should a Christian visitor be expected to respect Jewish customs in a place run by the Israeli government, when the government itself tramples Jewish customs a million times more severely.