Jews gather for prayers at Jerusalem’s Western Wall

Jerusalem, Apr 18 (EFE).- Thousands of Jews gathered at the Western Wall in Jerusalem on Monday for Passover prayers amid heightened tensions following clashes between Israeli police and Palestinians in the region.

This week, Jews congregate at the Western, or Wailing Wall, the only remaining vestige of the Second Temple of Jerusalem destroyed by Roman troops led by future emperor Titus in A.D. 70, to join the kohanim blessings, the modern substitute for sacrifices, in commemoration of priestly offices at the ancient temple more than 2,000 years ago.

Passover is along with Shavout and Sukkot one of the three major holidays in Judaism.

The religious ceremony took place without incidents so far, despite security tensions in Jerusalem’s Old City and the Temple Mount sanctuary in Israeli-occupied East Jerusalem.

The ancient limestone Western Wall is located near the Al Aqsa Mosque, the third-holiest site in Islam and the scene of clashes between police and Palestinians over the weekend that left 150 injured.

Israel and areas of the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem have in recent weeks witnessed a spate of violent attacks and clashes.

This year, Passover, which commemorated the exodus of Jews from Egypt, has coincided with the holy Islamic month of Ramadan and Easter.EFE

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