Palin’s take on Israel: Too apologetic

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) made several edgy statements during her Sunday tour of Jerusalem before her visit with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. 

During a tour of the Western Wall — Judaism’s holiest site — the potential presidential candidate told her guides Israel should quit apologizing so frequently for its actions and expressed support for Jews praying on the Temple Mount.

{mosads}”Why are you apologizing all the time?” Palin asked her guides, which included a chief rabbi of the Western Wall and a member of the right-wing Likud Party, according to The Jerusalem Post. 

The 2008 vice presidential nominee is looking to play up her pro-Israel bonafides during her two-day visit to the Jewish state.

Israel, America’s strongest ally in the Middle East, has been a traditional stopping point for presidential candidates from both parties. Several potential GOP candidates have already visited Israel this year: former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour.

Some Republicans have accused President Obama of not being supportive enough of Israel, citing his pressure on the Netanyahu regime to stop settlement construction in Palestinian-claimed territories. The government issued an apology last year after it announced a new settlement construction during Vice President Joe Biden’s visit to the country.

The Temple Mount is also a contentious issue for Jews and Muslims. Jews are not allowed to pray openly on the Temple Mount, the traditional site of the Jewish Temple of ancient times. The mount is controlled by Muslim authorities and is home to the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque. 

Palestinians rioted in 2000 when then-Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon went to the top of the Temple Mount, and the riots eventually grew into the Second Intifada.

Palin, who has not yet said whether she will run for president, will reportedly dine with Netanyahu on Monday night along with her husband, Todd.