Netanyahu enters Western Wall plaza with thousands of Israelis, including ministers

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu led a massive procession to the Western Wall plaza in occupied East Jerusalem on Sunday morning. The group included thousands of Israeli citizens, as well as government officials and ministers. The Jerusalem Governorate of Palestine reported the event, stating that Netanyahu and his entourage entered the plaza after traversing Wadi Street in the Old City.

According to the governorate, demonstrators had gathered to perform prayers and religious rituals near the Gate of Mercy, one of the entrances to the Al-Aqsa Mosque courtyard. The Al-Aqsa Mosque is a significant site for Muslims. In addition to the Israeli participants, a large number of Palestinians were present at the site, also engaging in prayer and shopping in the Old City.

Israeli groups had encouraged the public to congregate near the Gate of Mercy for Selichot prayers, which are observed in the weeks leading up to the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur. Selichot are communal services held in preparation for the solemn day of atonement. The Jerusalem Governorate confirmed that Israeli police had unilaterally permitted the entry of Israeli groups to the Al-Aqsa Mosque courtyard since the year 2003.