Thousands Pray at Western Wall, Give Thanks for Dubai Flight Rescue

Tens of thousands of worshippers gathered at the Western Wall plaza on Thursday for the second priestly blessing ceremony of the Sukkot holiday. During the prayers, a special thanksgiving service was held to commemorate the miraculous rescue of passengers aboard a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Israel, following a dramatic incident the previous day.

The Chief Rabbi of the Western Wall and Holy Sites, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, led the prayers of praise and gratitude alongside the assembled worshippers. He urged the public to increase their expressions of thanks while continuing to pray for the safety of IDF soldiers and security forces, and for peace and unity in Israel.

This thanksgiving follows a serious security incident on a Flydubai flight en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The co-pilot reportedly attempted a mass terror attack by stabbing the pilot and trying to seize control of the aircraft to cause it to crash. Several Israeli passengers intervened, successfully overpowering the assailant and helping the remaining crew regain control.

The aircraft ultimately made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, where all passengers and crew were safely evacuated. The Flydubai airline has not yet commented on the incident.

The Western Wall Heritage Foundation reported that nearly one million worshippers and visitors have passed through the Western Wall plaza since the beginning of Sukkot. The traditional "Hakafot Shniyot" (second circling of the Torah scrolls) ceremony will be held at the plaza on the evening of Simchat Torah, and this year will also include special prayers of praise and thanksgiving in light of recent events.