Mossad Director David "Dedi" Barnea made an unexpected visit Wednesday to the gravesite of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, in Queens, New York, as diplomatic tensions mount over stalled hostage negotiations with Hamas and ongoing U.S.–Israel discussions.
Barnea, accompanied by masked security personnel and wearing a large black kippah, entered the Montifiore Cemetery site alongside several Chabad emissaries and rabbis. He remained inside the tomb for approximately five minutes, reciting Psalms and placing a traditional prayer note in the designated space. According to reports, he wrote the note in the VIP lounge before entering.
The visit took place in the early morning hours when the site was largely filled with Chabad yeshiva students.
