Other Tourist Scams in Jerusalem

Red String Blessing Scam at Western Wall

On the descending steps and approach lanes leading to the Western Wall (Kotel) plaza, elderly women and men approach tourists and pilgrims offering a brief prayer or blessing and tying a red Kabbalah string around the tourist's wrist. The interaction is initiated without any mention of payment. Once the string is tied, the person demands a "donation" ranging from 20 to 100 NIS. Tourists who refuse or offer a small amount are confronted with guilt, spiritual curses, or aggressive demands. The red string itself is ordinary thread with no religious certification.