On the occasion of 58 years since the liberation and reunification of Jerusalem, thousands gathered for the traditional festive prayer at the Western Wall, thanking God for the immense privilege of praying in the Holy City – “the light of the world.”
The people of Israel are witnessing what generations of ancestors only dreamed of: living in the Holy Land and praying in our eternal capital, Jerusalem. As every year, thousands arrived at the Western Wall Plaza this evening and participated in the ceremonial unfurling of a massive Israeli flag, symbolizing the unity of the Jewish people and their unbreakable bond with the holy city.
A special evening prayer is now taking place, attended by Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, Rabbi of the Western Wall and holy sites; Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion; Heritage Minister Rabbi Amichai Eliyahu; State Comptroller Matanyahu Englman; other public figures; and a large crowd of worshippers.
This year marks 58 years since the reunification of Jerusalem – but the joy is mixed with pain: 58 of our brothers and sisters are still held hostage by Hamas in Gaza. The crowd devoted these sacred moments of prayer, gratitude, and hope to heartfelt pleas for the swift return of the captives and for the protection of the brave soldiers risking their lives for us.