Tens of Thousands Attend Final Selichot Prayers at Western Wall

Tens of thousands of worshippers were expected to gather at the Western Wall in Jerusalem on Saturday night for the final Selichot prayers before Yom Kippur. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attended the service, arriving over three hours early due to heightened security measures, necessitating his presence behind bulletproof glass.

The event marks the conclusion of the Selichot services held throughout the Hebrew month of Elul and the Ten Days of Repentance, which saw hundreds of thousands of participants. Approximately two million worshippers visited the Western Wall during this period, according to data released prior to the final service.

The Western Wall Heritage Foundation, police, and transportation authorities made special preparations for the large crowds expected in the Old City. Public transportation in Jerusalem was increased to facilitate attendees' travel to and from the site. Traffic arrangements around the Old City were also altered, with roads closed to private vehicles as part of the police's security plan.