(PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE)

The following statement was made by the Rabbi of the Kosel and Holy Sites following the visit to the Kosel on Monday 26 Iyar by President Donald J. Trump.

“For the very first time in history, the Western Wall Heritage Foundation staff and I have been given the privilege to host the President of the United States, Mr. Donald J. Trump, his wife Melania, his daughter Ivanka, and her husband Jared – here at the Western Wall Plaza.

“In the name of the entire Jewish people and in the name of all citizens of the State of Israel, I would like to thank the President of the United States and his family for the great honor they have given me and the Jewish nation by visiting this sacred site.

“The visit of the United States President, Mr. Donald Trump, at the Western Wall, exactly 50 years after it was liberated, is a clear-cut statement on the Western Wall’s historical significance. It is a clear-cut statement on the array of exciting Jewish archaeological remnants that have been found here, at the foot of the Western Wall. These remnants bear witness to the 3,000-year-old connection of the Jewish nation with Jerusalem. It is a clear-cut statement on the spiritual message that emanates from our nation’s capital to the entire world.

“I believe that leaders of religions around and the world and their emissaries have the power to support an atmosphere of reconciliation, of solidarity, and of peace among all nations. In our area, such an atmosphere is crucially necessary and we maintain it here in Jerusalem every single day. Following this visit, we call on everyone to join forces and work for peace among all nations.

“We gave the President a souvenir – a special book of Tehillim with his name. We davened together, here at the Kosel, that the Tehillim should safeguard him and illuminate his path so that he may safeguard us and the entire world.

I pray that this book, whose Tehillim were written, composed, and sung in Jerusalem, will accompany the President and serve as a beacon.

May He who makes peace on High, may He make peace for us and for all of Israel, and let us say – Amen.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)