“We are so grateful for being here in Israel, particularly on this day, recognizing the destruction of the Temple—twice in history. This is an emotional time for us to be at the Western Wall. My prayer is that America will always stand with Israel, and for the preservation and peace of Jerusalem.”
As the Tisha B’Av fast draws to a close, speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Mr. Mike Johnson, arrived last night for a visit and prayer at the Western Wall — the remnant of our Temple — on the day the Jewish people mark the destruction of both the First and Second Temples.
The delegation was welcomed by Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, rabbi of the Western Wall and the holy sites, and Mr. Mordechai (Suli) Eliav, director of the Western Wall Heritage Foundation. They thanked the speaker and delegation for their unwavering support for Israel and their commitment to fighting antisemitism around the world.
During the visit, the members of the delegation received an overview of the religious and historical significance of the site to the Jewish people, and of this special day commemorating the destruction of both Temples. The delegation also toured the new “Gateway to Heaven” exhibit, which presents the story of the Jewish people throughout the generations.
At the conclusion of the visit, the delegation members placed personal notes between the stones of the Western Wall. Speaker Johnson signed the guestbook, writing:
“May God continue to bless and protect the people of Israel — and her great friend and ally, America!”
