The Western Wall Heritage Foundation announced that, due to the ongoing war, the Kosel will be closed to the public throughout Pesach, with the traditional Birkas Kohanim ceremony taking place in a significantly reduced format.

The announcement comes as authorities earlier approved a limited prayer arrangement at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for Christian observances.

In a joint statement issued by the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, Israel Police, and the Yerushalayim Municipality, officials said: “In light of the ‘Roaring Lion’ war, the current security situation, and Home Front Command directives—alongside recent incidents in Yerushalayim, including missile fragments that fell in recent days in the Old City and the Jewish Quarter—special preparations have been completed for Pesach at the Kosel.”

“As part of this preparedness, and in accordance with Home Front Command guidelines and restrictions on public gatherings, Pesach will be observed this year in an unusual and different format from previous years, out of responsibility to protect human life and concern for the safety and security of worshippers and visitors.”

Officials acknowledged that in a typical year, hundreds of thousands of visitors and mispallelim flock to Yerushalayim and the Kosel during the Yom Tov. “However, this year, given the security circumstances, the public is required to act responsibly and follow the instructions of security authorities,” the statement said.

Under the special arrangements, no public access to the Kosel will be permitted throughout Pesach. Both Jaffa Gate and Dung Gate will be closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic, and no public transportation routes will operate to the site.

Despite the closure, the annual Birkas Kohanim gathering—typically attended by tens of thousands—will still take place, but in a drastically scaled-down format with only 50 kohanim participating.

Organizers added that the ceremony will be broadcast live, allowing the public to join remotely and experience the tefillos and brachos. They expressed hope that the war will end before the chag, enabling a return to the traditional atmosphere.

{Matzav.com}