America’s new ambassador to Israel might have had a few prayers in mind during his trip to the Western Wall, but a rendezvous with a global rock legend is unlikely to have been among them.

But as David Friedman headed for the holiest site in Judaism, none other than Aerosmith frontman Steve Tyler walked his way.

The two men shared a brief conversation at the ancient Jerusalem site, before going their separate ways on Monday.

Look who Ambassador to #Israel David Friedman ran into at the #WesternWall #Aerosmith .@IamStevenT pic.twitter.com/e4ZwQdqjq1

— USEmbassyTelAviv (@usembassyta) May 16, 2017

Mr Friedman, an orthodox Jew, arrived in Israel earlier that day to take up his diplomatic post. Speaking to reporters, he said that he “prayed for the president” and “wished him success especially on his upcoming trip”. Mr Trump is due to visit Israel next week as part of a wider visit to the region.

Meanwhile the 69-year-old rocker flew in on Saturday, ahead of his band’s performance at Tel Aviv’s Park Hayarkon on Wednesday. More than 45,000 people are expected to show up for the show, which is the group’s first in Israel for 22 years.

The singer, who is father to actress Liv Tyler, signed autographs and greeted his fans on his tour of the Old City.