(VIDEO & PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE)

Among the many attendees at the Kosel Birchas Kohanim Pesach 5778 was US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman.

Friedman, who himself is a kohen, said: “It’s a great privilege and honor for me to be here with three generations of kohanim – myself, my son, my grandson, all came here to bless the Jewish nation.”

The Kosel Plaza was filled with 100,000 Jews, as is usually the case for the event, which is held on the second morning (first in Chutz La’aretz) of Chol Hamoed Pesach and Sukkos.

Friedman spoke with Arutz Sheva about the violent nature of the recent protests in Gaza, emphasizing that it is “not in the interests of the Palestinians” to continue the pattern.

“I think people have the right ot protest peacefully,” he began. “But unfortunately what I’ve seen is something very different than peaceful protests – very dangerous activity, rushing the border, throwing Molotov cocktails, burning tires, putting women and children on the front lines.”

“That’s obviously much more serious than peaceful protests and I think it’s not in the interests of the Palestinians for that to continue.”

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem/Photo Credit: קבוצת רוטרניק)