by KYW's Mideast Bureau chief Jay Bushinsky

The Israeli police reportedly are investigating the circumstances in which a note placed by Sen. Barack Obama in the sacred Western Wall was removed, turned over to the news media, and published in the local press. 
 
This happened two months ago, after the Democratic presidential candidate followed Jewish custom and wrote a personal prayer for the health of his family and the success of his mission.
    
A religious academy student was said to have extracted it, in itself a sacrilegious act, after which the text appeared in facsimile in the country's most widely circulated newspaper.
   
According to the daily Maariv, it said, "Lord—Protect my family and me. Forgive me my sins, and help me guard against pride and despair. Give me the wisdom to do what is right and just. And make me an instrument of your will."

The senator's 4:30am visit to the wall was the climax of his one-day stay.