Western Wall

'We Prayed for This for Thousands of Years'

Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat tells of his feelings experiencing the "birkat kohanim" and the Kotel. "No one should take this for granted."

In Pictures: Priestly Blessings at the Western Wall

Israeli Chief Rabbis join thousands of worshippers at this year's Sukkot 'birkat kohanim' at the Kotel in Jerusalem.

Thousands Recite Selichot at the Western Wall

Jewish worshippers flock to the Kotel (Western Wall) to take part in penitential prayers in the run up to Yom Kippur.

Kotel Rabbi’s Horror at Temple Mount Riots

Kotel rabbi says the world should condemn Muslim rioters’ attempt to force Jews from holy site.

Arab World Opposes Bennett's New Plaza

The Jordanian government and others in the Arab world disapprove of the new plaza adjacent to the Western Wall, known as "Ezrat Yisrael."

In Pictures: Prayer and Repentance at the Western Wall

Saturday night marked the start of the recital of "selichot" prayers for Ashkenazic Jews throughout the world.

Bennett: Come Visit non-Orthodox Kotel Section

Bayit Yehudi head in appeal to Reform, Conservative Jews: new section is open to all streams, 24 hours a day.

Traditionalist Women's Group: Cancel Women of the Wall's Sit-In

Women dedicated to preserving traditional sanctity of the Kotel say: "A holy site is no place for political activity."

Women of the Wall Say No to Bennett Plan

Separate area for non-Orthodox prayer is not good enough for the women who want to pray like men.

‘Women of the Wall’ to Get Separate Prayer Area

Minister Bennett hopes to solve Kotel clashes with a separate prayer space for non-traditional worship.

Court: Murder Rap Likely for Kotel 'Security Guard' Killer

Hadi Kabalan, the security guard who killed Doron Ben Shalush at the Kotel, is likely to go to prison for murder, a judge said.

Ministry of Interior Affairs Hearing on Temple Mount Prayer

Director for Religious Services hopes to grant religious sovereignty to all who wish to pray on the Temple Mount.

Man Sues for Police Violence at Kotel

A man sprayed with tear gas after trying to bring a musical instrument to the Western Wall.

Fears as Ramadan meets ‘Women of the Wall’

Police ask thousands of orthodox Jewish women not to pray at Kotel in an attempt to maintain calm.

Thousands Stream to Kotel for Tisha B'av

Thousands of people came to the Kotel Monday night to mark Tisha B'av, commemorating the destruction of the Holy Temples.

Rabbanit: Women Can Unify the Jewish People

Thousands of women will hold a special prayer session for the safety of world Jewry on Monday

Druze Guard Indicted for Pre-meditated Murder in Kotel Killing

Indictment handed down against a security guard who several weeks ago opened fire on a Jew visiting the Kotel, killing him.

Security Guard Shot Kotel Jew After 'Verbal Confrontation'

Security guard who shot dead a Jewish man at Western Wall is suspected of murder after " verbal confrontation."

Remand of Kotel Shooter Extended

Court extends by five days the remand of the security guard who shot and killed a Jewish man at the Western Wall.

Security Guard Shot Jew who Yelled Allahu Akbar at Western Wall

A Jewish man has been killed in a shooting at the Kotel.

Court Awards Damages to Hebron Mother Over False Arrest

The Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court has awarded thousands of shekels in damages to a Hevron mother after her false arrest by police.

Clinton at Kotel: 'Eye Opening Experience'

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton visits the Kotel, expresses “continued admiration” for Jewish heritage.

Hareidi Leaders: Cops Barred Hareidim from the Kotel

“We saw police working on behalf of 'Women of the Wall,” said hareidi leaders. “What happened at the Kotel was just unbelievable.”

Distressed Rabbi: ‘What Have You Done to the Western Wall?’

Western Wall Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz protested an egalitarian provocation by the Women of the Wall at the Kotel on Sunday morning.

Kotel Moment of Truth: Youths Asked to Stay Away

Thousands of hareidim, led by rabbis, will face Women of the Wall Sunday. Troublemakers not welcome.

‘Women of the Wall’ Prepare for Second Round

The Women of the Wall group prepares for a repeat of last month’s conflict at the Kotel.

Rabbinate: No 'Women of the Wall' Prayers Just Yet

The Chief Rabbinate reiterated its position against "male-style" prayer groups for women at the Kotel, until an official decision is made

Chief Rabbis Receive Threats from 'Women of the Wall'

Threatening letters were sent Monday to the offices of Israel's Chief Rabbis, signed by 'Women of the Wall.'

NY Rabbi Criticizes Women of the Wall, Hareidi Thugs

New York Rabbi takes both sides of Kotel dispute to task, and shares thoughts on this week’s Torah portion.

Chazak Rabbi: What do Women of the Wall Want?

Rabbi Ilan Meirov of New York's Chazak Organization: Why not heed decisions of chief rabbis and Kotel Rabbi?

Arab Breaks Chair on Elderly Jew's Head

Scenes reminiscent of 1920s and 30s becoming commonplace in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria.

Kotel Rabbi: Pray for Unity

Rabbi of Kotel calls to end recent conflict through government regulation, prayer.

Women of the Wall: We’re 'Liberating' the Kotel

Head of ‘Women of the Wall’ group compares provocation-causing group to soldiers who fought for Jerusalem.

Conflict at Kotel as Women of the Wall Hold Prayers

Conflict at the Western Wall as women attempt non-traditional prayer gathering.

Efforts to Head Off Clash between Women at Kotel Friday

Thousands of young hareidi women expected at Kotel for Rosh Chodesh prayers, rabbis told them to avoid clashes with Women of the Wall.

Visit Jerusalem Through a Powerful Music Video

Watch new revised version of Rabbi Dovid Green's song "Jerusalem - Eye of the Universe" in honor of Jerusalem Day 2013.

New Women's Group Counters Provocative 'Women of the Wall'

"Leave the Western Wall alone," a new group, Women For the Wall, tells provocative Women of the Wall.

A Rabbinic Group Supports ‘Third Kotel’ Plan

The Beit Hillel rabbinic group throws its weight behind creation of mixed prayer section at the Western Wall.

MK Slams Women of the Wall: ‘Fake Judaism’

MK Menachem Moses against ‘provocation’ of women’s prayer group using men’s prayer.

Kotel Rabbi: Please Don't Fight Here

Rabbi asks "zealots on both sides" to take their discord elsewhere.

10,000 at Kotel Yom Haatzmaut Prayer

Deputy Religions Minister Rabbi Ben Dahan: "On this day, the power of the nation is revealed."

Women of Wall Accused of Hiding True Intentions

WoW Leader Anat Hoffman, interviewed on BBC, divulges longterm goals for the Kotel and the rest of Israel.

Kotel Rav: 'Uproot the Divisive Women of the Wall'

Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, Rabbi of the Kotel, slammed Women of the Wall for its "divisiveness" - and its violation of the law

Sharansky: Make Room at Kotel for Mixed Prayer

Jewish Agency head calls to extend Kotel with section for men and women together.

Huge Crowds at Birkat Kohanim

Tens of thousands participated in the traditional Birkat Kohanim mass priestly blessing that took place Thursday morning at the Kotel

New Torah Scroll Written by More Than 200 Thousand Jews

A new Sefer Torah, written by over 200 thousand Jews, was dedicated at the Western Wall.

Students and Teachers Hike, Rally for Pollard's Freedom

Students from Amit Catzor a religious school in northern Israel began a hiking trek, in an effort to free Jonathan Pollard.

MK: Women of the Wall ‘Extremism’ will Lead to Conflict

MK Ariel criticizes ‘Women of the Wall,’ says their growing extremism will lead to conflict at Jewish holy site.

'Armed with Tallits,' MKs Join Kotel Women, Prevent their Arrest

Leftist female MKs donned prayer shawls and joined Women of the Wall for provocation at Kotel.

Thousands Unite in Prayer for Rabbi Yaakov Yosef

Despite political tension, hareidi and Zionist religious unite in prayer for ailing rabbi.

10.5 Million Kotel Visits in 2012

Police data shows 10.5 million trips to the Western Wall in 2012. Israel finally expands Kotel facilities.

Arab Group: Kotel is a Muslim Site, And Jews Don't Belong There

An Israeli Arab group says, Israel is “defiling the holiness" of the Kotel - as defined by Islam - by conducting Jewish prayers there.

Kotel Women Strike Again, Police Detain 10

About 100 Kotel women held prayers at the Kotel Plaza in contravention of a High Court decision.

Holocaust Survivors Finally Get Bar Mitzvahed - 70 Years Later

A unique Bar Mitzvah ceremony took place at the Kotel - ot for thirteen year old kids, but for a group of Holocaust survivors

Reform Groups Demand 'Reform' of Long-Standing Kotel Policies

Reform groups filed a petition with the High Court demanding the removal of Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovich as Rabbi of the Kotel.

A Prayer from a Wheelchair at the Kotel

Magen David and Police made an exception to allow a man to pray at the Kotel when he explained his illness may not allow him another chance.

US Liberal Jews’ War on Orthodoxy at Kotel

US Liberal Jews press Netanyahu to overthrow Jewish custom at the Wall and let women pray with men’s religious prayer shawls there.

NY Times Strikes Again, Promotes ‘Women of the Wall’

A NY Times article pitches a campaign by “Women of Wall” and unintentionally reveals the real issue: Who decides Jewish law?

Hamas, Abbas’ New Partner, Say Kotel Is Islamic

Hamas’ official Al Qassam website quotes a senior cleric that “facts and history” prove the Western Wall is not Jewish property.

Signed Checks Worth a Half a Billion Dollars Found at Kotel

Jerusalem police were left bewildered after finding signed checks worth around half a billion dollars at the Western Wall on Wednesday.