Upon assuming his role and amidst the ongoing war, the U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mr. Jacob Lew, made his first visit to the Western Wall as ambassador. He was welcomed by Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, Rabbi of the Western Wall and Holy Sites, who hosted him for an extended discussion.
During the meeting, the rabbi expressed gratitude for the full and warm support of U.S. President Joe Biden for Israel in general and its right to defend itself against the attacks of Hamas in particular.
During the visit, the ambassador expressed his support and solidarity with the groups of soldiers and families who had been evacuated from combat zones and were present at the Western Wall at that time. He lit a candle in memory of the massacred and fallen, and together with Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, prayed maariv, the evening prayer.
They prayed for the safe return of the captives and the missing to their homes and for the success of the nation residing in Zion.