Netanyahu and thousands of Israelis arrive at Western Wall — Anadolu Agency
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, several ministers and thousands of Israelis arrived at the Western Wall Plaza in East Jerusalem, Israel, under heightened security measures. Anadolu Agency reported this, citing a statement by the Palestinian Jerusalem Governorate.
Gathering near the Gate of Mercy
According to the governorate, thousands of Israelis entered the plaza via Wadi Street in the Old City. It also said that this was preceded by calls for prayers and religious rituals near the Gate of Mercy, one of the gates of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.
The Palestinian administration also reported that a significant number of Palestinians arrived in the area to pray at the Al-Aqsa Mosque and shop in the Old City. The governorate called on Palestinians to come to the mosque ahead of Yom Kippur to counter Israeli entries and plans it described as occupation plans.
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Prayers ahead of Yom Kippur
Israeli groups had previously called on supporters to gather near the Gate of Mercy for Selichot prayers ahead of Yom Kippur, which begins on September 21. The Western Wall Plaza is open around the clock and is used for religious ceremonies, prayers and official Israeli events; security checks are conducted at the entrances.
Israel controls the Western Wall, citing its significance as a Jewish holy site. The Jerusalem Islamic Waqf administration and the Palestinian Jerusalem Governorate state that the wall is part of Islamic holy sites. According to the governorate, Israeli police have unilaterally allowed Israelis to enter the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound since 2003.
