This evening (Wednesday), U.S. Ambassador Friedman came to the Western Wall Plaza with his wife as he completes his tenure. The Ambassador was greeted by Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, rabbi of the Western Wall, Mayor Moshe Leon, mayor of Jerusalem, and his wife, and Mordechai (Suli) Eliav, director of the Western Wall Heritage Foundation.
When U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman landed in Israel on Monday, the 19th of Iyar, 5777 (May 15, 2017), he went straight to pray at the Western Wall.
Today, the Ambassador is ending his tenure here, at the Western Wall Plaza.
The Rabbi of the Western Wall, the Mayor of Jerusalem, and the Director of the Western Wall Heritage Foundation all spoke in honor of the Ambassador. The Director of the WWHF also presented him with the most recent findings in the Western Wall Tunnels.
Ambassador Friedman recited a Psalm of thanks in front of the Western Wall stones. He noted that Jerusalem was always at the peak of his joy throughout his ambassadorship. He was particularly pleased of the accomplishments during his tenure on behalf of Israel and Jerusalem, and of the official visits by U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence to the Western Wall.
The Ambassador added that one of the most exciting parts of his job was to come to the Western Wall every year and, as a kohen (priest), take part in the traditional Birkat Kohanim (Priestly blessing) at the Western Wall, a custom he intends to continue in the future.
