A German Catholic clergy member visiting the Western Wall in Jerusalem on Wednesday was asked to cover up the large crucifix hanging from his neck as he visited the Jewish holy site.
Abbot Nikodemus Schnabel, the head of the Dormition Abby in Jerusalem, was accompanying German Education Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger to the Western Wall when an usher approached him and kindly requested he cover his cross out of respect for the holy site.
In footage of the incident, the usher, who is off camera, can be heard telling the monk that the site is open to "everyone, from every religion, but (the cross) is really big, and it's inappropriate for this place. This is a Jewish place, and you need to respect it."
Schnabel can be heard responding to the usher, claiming she was disrespecting his religion. "You are hindering me from my human rights. This is not provocation; I am an abbot; this is how I dress; the cross is part of my dress code."
Following the incident, the abbot shared the footage and wrote: "The unfortunately not-so-nice end of a nice tour of the old town through the morning Jerusalem. It is painful to see how the climate in this wonderful city is changing more and more for the worse under the new government. Jerusalem is big enough for everyone!"
The Western Wall Heritage Foundation released a clarification and apologized 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."