White House Chief of Staff Emanuel in Israel for son’s bar mitzvah celebration

WH chief of staff in Israel for son’s bar mitzvah

JERUSALEM — President Barack Obama’s chief of staff is in Israel to celebrate his son’s bar mitzvah but some Israelis are displeased at the visit.

Rahm Emanuel is facing antipathy from ultranationalists who believe he’s behind a U.S. demand to halt West Bank settlement construction.

Pro-settler activist Itamar Ben Gvir says he and his peers will protest Emanuel’s visit.

Media on Monday flocked to the Western Wall, the holiest site where Jews can pray, in expectation of 13-year-old Zach Emanuel’s coming of age ceremony.

But after the Emanuels were not seen at the Wall, there was speculation the family might have chosen a less public venue because of the possible protests.

The older Emanuel is expected to meet with top Israeli officials despite the visit’s private nature.