The police force beefed up its presence in Jerusalem’s Old City this morning ahead of the traditional Passover prayer ceremony at the Western Wall Plaza. Around 2,500 police officers are securing the area. Tensions have been high in Jerusalem over the past few days, especially last Friday, on the Temple Mount Compound and Al-Aqsa Mosque. Israel's police force is staying vigilant today for possible clashes with Palestinians and overcrowding at the Western Wall Plaza. So far, no major incidents have been reported.
The Passover prayer, known as "the blessing of the priests," usually draws 15,000 Jewish worshipers to the site. Following the deadly stampede at the Galilee's Mount Meron last year, when 45 people were killed during a religious festival, authorities decided to split this year's Jerusalem Passover blessing into two sessions, one today and one on Wednesday. So far today, only a few thousand Jewish worshipers have arrived to the site for the prayer.
