Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, visited the Western Wall on Sunday evening to offer prayers of thanksgiving following the U.S. strike on three Iranian nuclear sites.
The visit came hours after what officials described as a historic military development and amid ongoing Israeli operations under the banner of Operation Rising Lion.
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prays with Western Wall rabbi for success in ongoing war with Iran
Netanyahu was joined by Western Wall Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz and Mordechai (Suli) Eliav, director of the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, in a special service that included psalms and prayers of gratitude “for the revealed miracles” taking place during the war. The prime minister also joined a prayer led by Rabbi Rabinowitz for the well-being of U.S. President Donald Trump, in recognition of his support for Israel and his role in regional security.
During the visit, Netanyahu placed a handwritten note in the cracks of the ancient stones that read, “The people has risen — the people of Israel lives.” The gesture echoed a similar act just days before the Israeli campaign began, when Netanyahu visited the Wall and left a note quoting the biblical phrase: “Like a lion, the nation shall rise and lift itself like a lioness.”
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“Ten days ago, on the eve of Israel’s historic operation, I stood here and placed a note that read, ‘Behold, a nation rises like a lion,’” Netanyahu said. “Now, ten days later, I return to this same place and leave a note that says, ‘Behold, the nation has risen — the people of Israel lives.’”
Earlier Sunday, World Mizrachi, an international Orthodox Jewish organization, hosted a 60-minute global prayer service in response to the war with Iran. The program featured prayers of thanksgiving led by its president, Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon, alongside chief rabbis and women from around the world.
The online gathering aimed to provide a multifaceted response to the crisis, combining spiritual unity with strategic insight. Military analysts offered live commentary on U.S. strikes related to the conflict, while Rabbanit Yemima Mizrachi — a prominent educator — delivered words of inspiration. International law expert Natasha Hausdorff also addressed attendees, outlining practical ways to support Israel during the conflict.
A key goal of the event was to foster communal resilience and purpose. “Like a lion, the nation rises”—Hebrew: Am k’lavi yakum—served as the rallying call for participants.