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Monday, March 21, 2011

Sarah Palin says Israel shouldn't apologize, should be able to pray at Temple Mount site

Sarah Palin is escorted by Western Wall Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovitz, left, and Israeli lawmaker Danny Danon, right, as she leaves the Western Wall tunnels in Jerusalem's Old City












Sarah Palin says being Israeli means never having to say I'm sorry.

On her first visit to Jerusalem, the former Alaska governor lamented that Jews can't pray openly at the Temple Mount.

"Why are you apologizing all the time?" Palin asked the Israelis who took her and husband Todd on a tour of the sacred site, the Jerusalem Post reported.

It was not immediately clear how Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovitz and Israeli lawmaker Danny Danon responded to Palin's puzzler.

But the issue of public prayer is touchy at the Temple Mount because the site is holy to both Jews and Muslims.

Jews venerate the spot as the historic site of their ancient temples. One of its outer walls - the Western Wall - is the holiest site in Judaism.

For Muslims, it is home to the Dome of the Rock shrine and Al Aqsa mosque and believed to be the site where the Prophet Muhammed ascended to heaven.

Palin, a failed GOP vice-presidential candidate, arrived in Israel on Sunday after a visit to India.

"Israel is absolutely beautiful and it is overwhelming to see and touch the cornerstone of our faith and I am so grateful to get to be here," said Palin, a Born Again Christian. "I'm very thankful to know that the Israeli and American link will grow in strength as we seek peace along with you."

Palin, who is due to meet later Monday with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is the latest GOP possible presidential candidate to seek an audience with the Israeli leader.

The former Alaska governor has been criticized for being a lightweight when it comes to foreign policy.

Her inexperience was on display over the weekend when she accused President Obama of "dithering" over the Libyan crisis - as the U.S. and its allies began bombing the Moammar Khadafy's forces.

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