Media: Netanyahu leaves Bible verse at Wailing Wall before striking Iran

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Photo: Ziv Koren, All Israel News

Just hours before Israel launched strikes on Iranian targets, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the Western Wall and placed a note quoting Numbers 23:24: “Look, a nation like a lioness will rise up, and like a lion he raises himself”. This verse became the inspiration for the name of the Israeli military operation Rising Lion, reports All Israel News.

According to the report, the note with the biblical verse was placed at the Wall just hours before the attack began.

The content of the note was made public on the morning of Friday, June 13, 2025, following a speech by Netanyahu, indicating that both the operation and its name had been planned in advance.

The full biblical passage continues: “…He does not lie down until he devours the prey and drinks the blood of the slain.” (Numbers 23:24)

As the UOJ previously reported, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) harshly criticized Iran following Israel’s strike. Meanwhile, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has earlier called for ecumenical dialogue, stating that it is not confined to the Christian sphere but extends to interfaith relations. The Patriarch of Constantinople emphasized that any action targeting Judaism or Islam also wounds Christians.

Read also

Poland marks 100th anniversary of Lemkos’ return to Orthodoxy

Hierarchs of the Polish Orthodox Church led celebrations in Gorlice marking the 100th anniversary of the Lemkos’ return to the Orthodox faith.

Kyiv Metropolis court hearing postponed again

Kyiv’s Sixth Administrative Court of Appeal postponed the hearing in DESS’s lawsuit against the Kyiv Metropolis until October 7.

Patriarch Theophilos receives Metropolitan of Rivne and eparchy pilgrims

The Patriarch of Jerusalem met with pilgrims from the Rivne Eparchy and gave the faithful his blessing.

UGCC reps gift Pope with embroidered Ukrainian shirt

The UGCC members said it was important to tell the pontiff about Ukrainians who had migrated to Europe because of the war.

“Ancient Kyiv” head complains OCU barred him from capital church

Roman Malenkov said OCU representatives called him a Bolshevik.

Greek theologian voices support for Sviatohirsk Lavra brotherhood

Theologian Michail Maroudis said it is impossible to remain indifferent to the tragedy in Sviatohirsk and called for prayers for the slain monk.