Kotel Katan
The Kotel Katan (Little Western Wall) is a Jewish holy site located in the Muslim Quarter of Jerusalem's Old City, representing a continuation of the same retaining wall as the main Western Wall plaza.
The Kotel Katan, or Little Western Wall, is a segment of the western retaining wall of the Temple Mount. While the famous Western Wall plaza is the primary site for Jewish prayer, the Kotel Katan is located approximately 175 meters north of it, deep within the narrow alleys of the Muslim Quarter near the Iron Gate (Bab al-Hadid). Because it is closer to the site of the Holy of Holies than the main plaza, it holds significant spiritual importance for many Jewish worshippers.
Unlike the main Western Wall, the Kotel Katan does not have a large open plaza; it is situated in a confined courtyard surrounded by residential buildings. This proximity to local residents often leads to friction and security challenges. The site is managed under the auspices of the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, though its accessibility and the presence of Jewish symbols there remain sensitive issues in the context of Jerusalem's delicate status quo.
Recent events have highlighted the ongoing tensions at the site. In July 2026, police arrested an Israeli citizen from Ofakim for allegedly desecrating an Israeli flag that had been placed at the site. This followed an earlier incident in June 2026 where several individuals were arrested for assault in the vicinity. These events underscore the site's role as a flashpoint for both religious devotion and civil friction within the Old City. For the Jewish community, maintaining a presence at the Kotel Katan is seen as an act of national and religious resilience, ensuring that Jewish prayer continues at all accessible segments of the Temple Mount's retaining walls.