Ten of thousands gathered at the Western Wall Plaza during Chanukah days, in the shadow of the Iron Swords War, to pray for peace with Israel, the well-being of the IDF soldiers, and the swift return of the captives to their homes.

During Chanukah, ten of thousands gathered at the Western Wall Plaza, and at the central candle lightings ceremonies held throughout the holiday, families from all over the country, as well as a diverse audience from Israel and even the world, attended in the shadow of the “Iron Blades” war.

The lighting of the Chanukah candle took place in the presence of Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, the Rabbi of the Western Wall and the Holy Sites, Rabbi David Lau, the Chief Rabbi of Israel, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Avi Dichter, Minister for the Advancement of the statue of Women Mai Golan, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development MK Moshe Abutbul, MK Odad Tal, Israel’s Fire and Rescue Commissioner Eyal Kaspi, Chief Rabbi of Fire and Rescue Rav Chaim Perl, Deputy Director and Head of the Families and Heritage Department- Defense Ministry, Aryeh Mualem, Director of the Western Wall Heritage Foundation Mordechai (Suli) Eliav, firefighters and rescue personnel, commanders, representatives of farmers, families, and a wide audience.

Participates dozens of families displaced from the settlements along the border in the south and north participated in the evening, coming from the settlements of Shlomi, Kiryat Shmona, and Sderot.

A special prayer was conducted by Chief Rabbi David Lau and Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, Rabbi of the Western Wall, on the occasion of “Zot Chanukah”, last day of Chanukah and a day capable of prayer. Prayer for the well-being of the IDF soldiers and security forces, for the swift return of the captives to their homes, safe and sound, and for the healing of all the wounded.

The Western Wall Heritage Foundation summarized the holiday: “This year, Hanukkah was characterized by a holiday that was ‘together, the tribes of Israel,’ with Israel in all its diversity visiting the Western Wall Plaza every evening. It was moving to see the people of Israel embracing the bereaved families, praying for the well-being of IDF soldiers and security forces and the healing of the wounded. They paid tribute to volunteers and various rescue organizations, as well as those engaged in the sacred work of accompanying the families of the fallen. Happy Chanukah.”