TEMPLE MOUNT WATCH: Laura Bush encountered protesters during her visits to the Wailing Wall and the Dome of the Rock. She seemed unfazed.

Protesters Heckle Laura Bush in Jerusalem


Monday May 23, 2005 7:46 AM

AP Photo ISRV104

By NEDRA PICKLER

Associated Press Writer

ABU GHOSH, Israel (AP) - Laura Bush said Monday she was not surprised to be met by protesters during her tour of Mideast holy sites and pledged the United States will do all it can to help resolve age-old conflicts.

``As we all know, this is a place of very high tensions and high emotions,'' the first lady said while standing in the garden courtyard of the Church of the Resurrection. ``And you can understand why when you see the people with a deep and sincere faith in their religion all living side by side.''

Mrs. Bush said the protesters who heckled her during Sunday's visits to the Dome of the Rock and the Western Wall did not surprise her and she denied that they ovovershadoweder goodwill visit.

``I think the protests were very expected. If you didn't expect them, you didn't know what it would be like when you got here,'' she said. ``Everyone knows how the tensions are and, believe me, I was very, very welcomed by most people.''

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