'This is my daily outfit' - German abbot asked to hide cross at Western Wall
'There was nothing that I feel was polite,' Nikodemus Schnable, a senior member of the Benedictine Order, speaks to i24NEWS about the 'surprising' incident
A German abbot who was urged to remove a cross he was wearing during a visit to the Western Wall told i24NEWS about the incident that occurred earlier on Wednesday.
"It was a very strange experience, because I have to emphasize that I was not going to pray at the Western Wall. I understand this is a sensitive issue that I, fully recognizable as an abbot, would pray at the holiest Jewish site," Nikodemus Schnable, a high-ranking member of the Benedictine Order, told us.
The incident unfolded as Schnable was escorting German Education Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger on her visit to the holy Jewish site. It gained attention on social media after part of the exchange was posted on Twitter.
"I was in the visitors area and I was only crossing the public space, which is why it came as a great surprise. I meant no provocation, I was crossing the area at a considerable distance from the Wailing Wall," he stressed.
"This usher came to me and told me to remove my cross. But this is my daily outfit," he said.
"My cross is too big, it's inappropriate for this Jewish holy site and I have to remove it," he says he was told. He added that it was a "really strange experience, because I believe in religious freedom for all believers and all non-believers."
Schnable contested the Western Wall administration's account of the incident, which described the interaction as a "polite request" by the usher. "There was nothing that I feel was polite," he said.
When asked about the experience for Christian and Catholic residents and visitors to Jerusalem, Schnable described the hostile reception he often encounters.
"To be honest, this incident was a minor thing. What is really more problematic for me is that I have experienced people spitting on me, attacking me verbally. Sometimes, thank God very rarely, also physically - pushing and so on."
He added that he was saddened that he had not heard the current government speak out against the growing religious tensions in the holy city, or condemnation of the harassment.
The Western Wall Heritage Foundation issued an apology following the incident, saying they apologize for "any distress caused" and that the holy site is "open to all."
"It should be emphasized that there are no regulations regarding this matter at the Western Wall Plaza," they added, saying that the usher was acting out of a desire to "prevent any discomfort" and to respect both the visitor and the site.
They said that entry had not been denied, and that the usher had respected Schnable's decision not to conceal the crucifix.