BETHLEHEM, West Bank — The mayor of Bethlehem, Vera Baboun, was sure that the khamsin sand storm that hit the area on Friday was divine.

Speaking to Al-Monitor from her Bethlehem home, the mayor said that the sudden weather change was a divine act, forcing the US president to travel by car into Bethlehem rather than by helicopter. Why is this important, she asked rhetorically? By driving, Obama would have no choice but to see the wall surrounding the city. It was as if, she said, “God willed that Mr. Obama enter from the gate of reality, rather than from the sky of no reality.”

Baboun, who was encouraged by the president to stay longer than protocol handlers had wished, said that she explained to the US president that the city where Jesus was born is only 7.3 square kilometers [2.8 square miles] that is totally walled. She explained to the American president that half of this area is declared Area C, which the Palestinian city council is not allowed to develop.

While the mayor was meeting and briefing the US leader, Palestinians were standing in a silent demonstration behind well-protected barriers. The mayor said that at other times she and her children would be part of such demonstrations that criticize the silence of the US and the West about what is happening to Palestinians.