In a moving display of solidarity and support, more than 1,000 Christian pastors, religious leaders, and clergy from the United States visited the Western Wall in Jerusalem on Thursday evening as part of what is being described as the largest ever American Christian delegation to Israel.
The visit was the emotional high point of their weeklong tour, organized to express unwavering support for the people of Israel in the wake of the October 7 massacre. Standing shoulder-to-shoulder at Judaism’s holiest site, the pastors placed handwritten notes between the ancient stones—each one bearing the name of a victim murdered by Hamas terrorists during the Simchat Torah massacre at the Nova music festival.
They were welcomed by Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, the Rabbi of the Western Wall and the Holy Sites, who shared the spiritual and historical significance of the Wall and thanked the pastors for their presence during a time of national grief and challenge.
“Their visit is a living expression of the verse: ‘For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations,’” said Rabbi Rabinowitz, quoting the prophet Isaiah. “At this difficult time for the people of Israel, you are showing what true friendship means.”
Christian leaders pray for Israel at Judaism’s holiest site. Photo: Western Wall Heritage Foundation
During a solemn moment, Rabbi Rabinowitz led the group in a heartfelt prayer for the souls of the victims, for the healing of bereaved families, and for the protection of IDF soldiers and Israeli security forces.
“You are sharing in our pain, our prayers, and our hopes,” the rabbi told the visitors. “We will never forget the bridges of love and faith you are building with us—day by day.”
The event at the Western Wall follows a week of high-level meetings, solidarity visits, and encounters with Israeli citizens impacted by the October 7 attacks. Organizers say it marks a new chapter of deepened Christian-Jewish unity in the face of rising global tensions.
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