US lawmaker apologizes for nude swim
Source: Agencies |
August 21, 2012, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
A REPUBLICAN congressman representing the US state of Kansas has apologized for embarrassing his supporters by swimming naked at the holy site of the Sea of Galilee while on a fact-finding mission to Israel.
Freshman United States Representative Kevin Yoder, 36, has not been charged in the August 18, 2011, incident when he and about 20 other lawmakers and staff members jumped into the water. Politico reported on Sunday he was the only one among them who wore no clothes.
"I feel incredibly remorseful that I have caused embarrassment to my constituents and I have caused folks who believe in me to be disappointed," Yoder told The Kansas City Star on Sunday night.
Some Christians consider the Sea of Galilee a holy site because they believe Jesus walked on water there. Swimming in the lake is permitted but public nudity is not allowed, according to Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld.
"If someone walks around the beach naked, that's an offense," Rosenfeld said, adding that no official complaint had been made against Yoder. He would not rule out charges, saying it was possible even a year after the offense was committed.
Politico reported that the Federal Bureau of Investigation had opened a probe into the trip but did not explain why. Yoder and his chief of staff, Travis Smith, said neither they nor any of their staffers had talked to federal investigators.
"The gravity of the situation and the actions I've taken are not lost on me, and I feel certainly regret at what has occurred, and I just want to apologize to my constituents for a momentary lapse in judgment," Yoder said.
Yoder said it was dark and he was in the water for only about 10 seconds.
The August 13-21 trip was sponsored by the American Israel Education Foundation.
Freshman United States Representative Kevin Yoder, 36, has not been charged in the August 18, 2011, incident when he and about 20 other lawmakers and staff members jumped into the water. Politico reported on Sunday he was the only one among them who wore no clothes.
"I feel incredibly remorseful that I have caused embarrassment to my constituents and I have caused folks who believe in me to be disappointed," Yoder told The Kansas City Star on Sunday night.
Some Christians consider the Sea of Galilee a holy site because they believe Jesus walked on water there. Swimming in the lake is permitted but public nudity is not allowed, according to Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld.
"If someone walks around the beach naked, that's an offense," Rosenfeld said, adding that no official complaint had been made against Yoder. He would not rule out charges, saying it was possible even a year after the offense was committed.
Politico reported that the Federal Bureau of Investigation had opened a probe into the trip but did not explain why. Yoder and his chief of staff, Travis Smith, said neither they nor any of their staffers had talked to federal investigators.
"The gravity of the situation and the actions I've taken are not lost on me, and I feel certainly regret at what has occurred, and I just want to apologize to my constituents for a momentary lapse in judgment," Yoder said.
Yoder said it was dark and he was in the water for only about 10 seconds.
The August 13-21 trip was sponsored by the American Israel Education Foundation.
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