Thousands of Israelis enter Western Wall plaza amid tight security
JERUSALEM
AA Photo
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and several ministers entered the Western Wall plaza in occupied East Jerusalem on Sept. 20.
Thousands of Israelis joined the officials amid tight security.
The groups passed through Wadi Street in the Old City.
The entry followed calls for prayers and religious rituals at the Gate of Mercy.
The gate is one of the entrances to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.
Large numbers of Palestinians came to the area to pray and shop.
The Jerusalem Governorate of Palestine encouraged Palestinians to counter the incursions.
Yom Kippur, one of Judaism's major religious observances, begins on Sept. 21.
Israel controls the Western Wall, citing its importance as a Jewish holy site.
Islamic Waqf authorities maintain the wall is part of Islamic holy sites.
Israeli authorities keep the plaza open around the clock for religious ceremonies and official events.