It was the only way to make my voice heard, says Arab heckler

The man who heckled Obama during his Jerusalem speech, a Balad activist from Eilaboun, tells Ynet he does not regret what he did, because it was “the only way to make my voice heard and send [Obama] the message he had to hear.”

Rabi Eid, who studies political science and philosophy at Haifa University, tells Ynet his interruption of Obama’s speech was not premeditated.

“Obama’s visit supports the Israeli side at the expense of the Palestinian people. This country should belong to all citizens, not just the Jewish citizens. I don’t regret my words,” Eid tells the news site. He adds that he had expected Obama to deliver a “democratic” speech, but “unfortunately, his speech was provocative, and that was what made me decide to convey the message to him.”

Earlier, Eid shouted during Obama’s speech: “Have you really come to promote the peace process, or rather to provide Israel with more weapons with which to kill the Palestinian people? On your way here, did you see the [security] fence, or who killed Rachel Corrie?”

US President Barack Obama looks toward the crowd and strains to hear an audience member’s shout to him during his speech at the International Convention Center in Jerusalem, Thursday. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)