Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accompanied by his wife Sara, visited the Western Wall in Jerusalem on Sunday. During the visit, they offered prayers for the well-being of Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers, security forces, and the hostages in Gaza. In a gesture of goodwill, Netanyahu also included a prayer for the well-being of US President Donald Trump.
In accordance with Jewish tradition, PM Netanyahu placed a note in the wall, writing, “A people has risen up as a lion – Am Yisrael chai!” (Long Live the Nation of Israel), a powerful symbol of strength and resilience. He also shared a picture from the visit on social media.
The Western Wall, or Kotel, in the Old City of Jerusalem holds immense religious, historical, and cultural significance for the Jewish people. It is the last remaining retaining wall of the Second Temple, destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE. Built by Herod the Great around 19 BCE to expand the Temple Mount, the wall is a sacred pilgrimage site and a place of deep spiritual connection. Jews believe the Divine Presence (Shechinah) has never left the Western Wall, making it the holiest accessible site for Jewish prayer. The custom of inserting slips of paper with wishes or prayers into the wall’s cracks symbolizes communal hope and the direct sending of prayers to God. This sacred site holds immense significance for Israel, which has a large Jewish population.