First Visit to the Western Wall Since the End of the British Mandate

In June 1967, Israel achieved a significant military victory in the Six-Day War, which had profound implications for Jewish access to sacred sites in Jerusalem and beyond. Following the war, Jews were granted access to the Old City of Jerusalem and the Western Wall, the holiest site in Judaism, for the first time since the end of the British Mandate. This access had been denied by Jordanian authorities, violating the 1949 Armistice agreement. The area adjacent to the Western Wall was transformed from a narrow alley into a spacious plaza, allowing worshippers to sit and use furniture for prayer, a practice that had not been permitted for centuries. Additionally, Jews regained access to the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron, a site of immense religious significance, for the first time since the 14th century, where previously they could only pray at the entrance. Rachel's Tomb in Bethlehem also became accessible to Jewish worshippers. Furthermore, the acquisition of the Sinai oil fields enabled Israel to achieve self-sufficiency in energy, marking a pivotal moment in the nation's history. The outcomes of the Six-Day War not only reshaped the geopolitical landscape but also revitalized Jewish spiritual life in the region.