The Western Wall plaza in the Old City of occupied East Jerusalem was entered on Saturday evening. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, several ministers in his government and thousands of settlers reached the area under heavy security.
Israel’s public broadcaster announced that Netanyahu had arrived at the Western Wall under tight security. The Jerusalem Governorate said Israeli forces turned the Old City into a military zone to secure the settlers’ passage to the plaza.
According to the governorate, thousands of settlers passed through Al-Wad Street in the Old City to reach the Western Wall plaza. Settler groups also called for prayers and religious rituals to be held around the Gate of Mercy at Al-Aqsa Mosque after midnight on the eve of Yom Kippur.
Security measures tightened around the Old City
Dozens of Palestinians from Jerusalem performed the five daily prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque under heavy security. Some people from the occupied Palestinian territories also went to the area to worship and shop in the Old City markets.
The Jerusalem Governorate said Palestinians had been called on to gather at Al-Aqsa Mosque and maintain a presence in the area as Yom Kippur approached. The governorate said the calls aimed to oppose the settlers’ entry into the area and prevent Israeli measures.
The entry into the Western Wall plaza took place as Israeli security measures were being intensified in Jerusalem as part of preparations for Yom Kippur. Yom Kippur will begin on Sunday evening and continue until Monday evening.
Different views on the status of the Western Wall
The Western Wall runs along the western side of Al-Aqsa Mosque. While Israel maintains full control over the wall and defines it as a holy site for Jews, Islamic endowments and the Jerusalem Governorate maintain that the area is part of Islamic endowment land.
Israeli authorities keep the plaza open throughout the day. In addition to religious ceremonies, official Israeli ceremonies are also held there; security checks and searches are conducted at the entrances.
