Sarah Palin visits old city, says she 'absolutely supports Israel'

"She really connected to the story of the Jewish nation"
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The Jerusalem Post reports that Gov. expressed her support for Jews praying openly on the Temple Mount on a visit to the Old City of Jerusalem on Sunday with Likud chairman Danny Danon and Western Wall Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz served as her guides. When told that Jews were not allowed to pray openly on the Temple Mount and about the Arab riots that followed Prime Minister Netanyahu's decision to authorize the creation of an exit from the Western Wall tunnels in 1996, the 2008 GOP vice presidential candidate asked her guides, "Why are you apologizing all the time?":

Palin expressed regret that she would not be able to visit Nazareth or Bethlehem on her brief stay in Israel. She promised that she would soon come back for longer.

"It's overwhelming to be able to see and touch the cornerstone of our faith," Palin told reporters upon exiting the tunnels. "I'm so thankful to be able to be here, and I'm thankful to know the Israel American link connection will grow and strengthen as the peace negotiations will continue."

Rabinowitz said that Palin prayed at the point closest to the Holy of Holies
and left a note with a personal prayer. Unlike when then-presidential candidate Barack Obama visited the Western Wall in July 2008, no one removed her note from the wall and gave it to the press.

"She said that she absolutely supports Israel and that America is the biggest friend that Israel has," Rabinowitz said.

When Rabinowitz shared the story of Purim with Palin, she told him it was especially meaningful to be at the Kotel on Purim.

Danon said that Palins' visit to the Western Wall Tunnels was very exciting. He called upon Obama to make his first visit to Israel as president as soon as possible.

"She really connected to the story of the Jewish nation," Danon said. "She knows the material but there's nothing like standing in front of those big stones and hearing about the connection. I know that she loves Israel, and after a visit like this, she has a personal connection to the Western Wall."

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Todd and Sarah Palin plan to visit the Old City again on Monday, touring Gesthsemane and the Mount of Olives. Monday evening they will have dinner with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara at their official residence in Jerusalem.

h/t: Jennifer

- JP