Western Wall Foundation completes pre-holiday removal of prayer notes from holy site

The Western Wall Heritage Foundation announced on Monday the completion of its semi-annual removal of prayer notes from the Western Wall in Jerusalem, a customary practice before the Jewish High Holidays. Tens of thousands of notes from 140 countries, including those considered hostile to Israel like Iran, Yemen, and Iraq, were collected. Many notes from these nations contained "moving prayers requesting peace." The notes, placed by individuals or sent via the Foundation's website, were removed using gloves and disposable tools to maintain sanctity, then collected for burial in accordance with Jewish law (genizah) alongside other sacred texts in a Jewish cemetery on the Mount of Olives.