
The Western Wall Heritage Foundation today (Tuesday) carried out the traditional removal of the notes that were buried between the stones of the Western Wall over the past six months - and they will later be transferred to a designated repository.
Among the notes are notes buried by world leaders, IDF fighters, families of kidnapped people, bereaved families, and moving prayers for peace between nations sent from hostile countries in the Middle East.
The evacuation was carried out in accordance with Halacha guidelines, using disposable gloves and wooden utensils, to preserve the sanctity of the place and the personal contents of the notes.
The Rabbi of the Western Wall and the Holy Places, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, arrived to be photographed alongside the foundation's staff who were working to clear the notes.
All the notes were collected in special bags and will be buried together with worn-out holy books for eternal preservation.
Over the past year, notes have also been buried by world leaders and public figures who visited the Western Wall as part of their official visit to Israel. Among the notes was the personal note sent by US President Donald Trump through US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee at the beginning of his term, in which he wrote: "For peace in Israel.".