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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Israeli president's office denies reports that gifted tree must be 'dug up' | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| 5pm ET update: The Israeli president's office has been in touch to say that reports that the tree has been dug up are incorrect. The tree does require inspection – but this will be done in situ. | |
| Earlier report: | |
| After the earlier indignity of the presidential limo breakdown, there are now reports of another snafu to hit Barack Obama's visit to Israel. | After the earlier indignity of the presidential limo breakdown, there are now reports of another snafu to hit Barack Obama's visit to Israel. |
| The tree brought as a gift to Israel by Obama, and planted earlier on Wednesday, is now said to have been dug up. | The tree brought as a gift to Israel by Obama, and planted earlier on Wednesday, is now said to have been dug up. |
| The Times of Israel quotes the Israeli news website Ynet saying that the magnolia tree, planted by Obama and Israeli president Shimon Peres, had not undergone the requisite checks. | The Times of Israel quotes the Israeli news website Ynet saying that the magnolia tree, planted by Obama and Israeli president Shimon Peres, had not undergone the requisite checks. |
| According to the Times of Israel: | According to the Times of Israel: |
| Ynet is reporting that by order of the Agriculture Ministry, the magnolia tree brought from the US by the president and planted by Obama and Peres earlier this afternoon is being dug up. Really. | Ynet is reporting that by order of the Agriculture Ministry, the magnolia tree brought from the US by the president and planted by Obama and Peres earlier this afternoon is being dug up. Really. |
| Plants cannot be brought in from abroad "without undergoing a check" by the ministry, the report quotes the bureaucrats as saying. If this were April 1, we'd assume this was a wind-up. | Plants cannot be brought in from abroad "without undergoing a check" by the ministry, the report quotes the bureaucrats as saying. If this were April 1, we'd assume this was a wind-up. |
| Maariv quoted Ayelet Frish, a spokesman for the Israeli president's office, as saying there was no diplomatic gaffe and that Israel had been aware of the Obama's plans to bring the tree on Air Force One in advance. | Maariv quoted Ayelet Frish, a spokesman for the Israeli president's office, as saying there was no diplomatic gaffe and that Israel had been aware of the Obama's plans to bring the tree on Air Force One in advance. |
| According to the LA Times, Obama said at the tree-planting ceremony: "It is an incredible honor to offer this tree to this beautiful garden, and to someone who is champion of the Israeli people and a champion of peace ... And we're very good gardeners." | According to the LA Times, Obama said at the tree-planting ceremony: "It is an incredible honor to offer this tree to this beautiful garden, and to someone who is champion of the Israeli people and a champion of peace ... And we're very good gardeners." |
| The Blaze said Obama went on to say: "I'm sure this tree is going to do great." | The Blaze said Obama went on to say: "I'm sure this tree is going to do great." |