Pray for the Peace of Jeruslam, Limestone sculpture at Knesset building, Israel

Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem is a limestone sculpture on the southern wall of the Knesset assembly hall, measuring 24 meters wide and 7 meters tall. The monumental work spans the entire wall surface and dominates the parliamentary chamber.

Dani Karavan was chosen in 1964 by Dora Gad, the Knesset's interior architect, to create the relief forming the southern wall of the assembly hall; it was completed in 1966. Karavan also made the front wooden wall of the Knesset auditorium. A planned balcony and seat for the president beside the work were dropped after he persuaded the building committee to abandon the idea. After 50 years the work was signed and its name registered in Hebrew and Arabic.

The work takes its name from Psalm 122, verse 6, "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem", chosen by Karavan after he finished building it. Because he was not allowed to carve the stonemasons' names into the relief, he also left off the work's title and his own name. Only after 50 years was the piece signed and its name inscribed in Hebrew and Arabic.

The sculpture can be viewed during organized Knesset tours, which require advance booking and security screening. Plan ahead, as parliamentary buildings have restricted access and visitors must follow official procedures.

The limestone comes from a quarry in Galilee, linking the parliamentary artwork to Israel's natural landscape. This connection to the land transforms the sculpture into something rooted in the geography itself.