Palestinians vandalize Obama banner with swastikas
US president’s image also pummeled with shoes in Bethlehem protest, two days ahead of much-touted visit to region
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on Google
JERUSALEM (AP) — Palestinians have vandalized a banner bearing President Barack Obama’s image just days before his visit.
-
- Palestinian activists vandalize a poster of US President Barack Obama in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Monday, March 18, 2013. (photo credit: AP/Nasser Shiyoukhi)
-
- Palestinian activists throw shoes at a poster of US President Barack Obama in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Monday, March 18, 2013. (photo credit: AP/Nasser Shiyoukhi)
-
- A man drives his car over a poster of US President Barack Obama in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Monday, March 18, 2013. (photo credit: AP/Nasser Shiyoukhi)
The Palestinians tore down the banner, hurled shoes at it and spray painted it with swastikas. Associated Press TV video showed a taxi driving over the banner before it was set on fire in the West Bank town of Bethlehem on Monday.
Video broadcast on Israel’s Channel 10 also showed an official Palestinian Authority car driving over the banner.
Obama arrives in Israel on Wednesday. He heads to the West Bank Thursday.
The banner with Obama’s picture is among many hung by activists, asking the president to take note of the lack of 3G frequencies in the West Bank. Israeli authorities control cellular networks there and they have not granted Palestinian telecommunication companies 3G.
The Palestinians have long felt aggrieved by the US, accusing it of being biased toward Israel.
The Times of Israel Community.