Tens of Thousands Attend Selichot Prayers in Jerusalem Under Heavy Security

Tens of thousands of worshippers, visitors, and tourists thronged the Western Wall, the Old City alleys, and central Jerusalem streets overnight for mass Selichot (penitential prayers) services. People from across Israel converged on the city for the traditional prayers and night tours, which draw large crowds annually. The Old City and its adjacent routes were filled with people heading to the main prayer sites until the late hours of the night.

In parallel, the Jerusalem district of the Israel Police maintained heightened operational readiness each night to secure the Selichot events and ensure they proceed in an orderly and safe manner. This police activity included a significant increase in visible and undercover forces, deployment of officers and Border Police combatants at key locations, maintaining public order, and directing traffic on routes leading to the Old City and the Western Wall.

Jerusalem District Commander Superintendent Asher Fled toured the forces overnight, closely examining the operational deployments. Police emphasized that forces are continuously present around the clock to ensure the safety of worshippers, visitors, and residents. Alongside security at gathering points, forces are working to prevent unusual congestion, manage crowd flow, and provide rapid response in case of emergencies.

Police noted that Jerusalem district officers and Border Police combatants will continue operating in an intensified manner in the coming period due to the large number of participants and expected ongoing congestion in areas near the Old City and the Western Wall. The public is urged to remain alert, be patient when arriving at prayer sites, and follow the instructions of officers and combatants on the ground. The Selichot nights in Jerusalem are expected to continue drawing tens of thousands in the coming days, with the combination of the unique atmosphere in the Old City, mass prayers, and increased security making the area a central hub of activity during this period.