Pod Save America Hosts Call on Democrats to Cut All Israel Military Aid, No Longer Accept AIPAC Funding
Jews, Israelis Targeted in Austria Amid Surge in Antisemitic Incidents; Local Jewish Community Calls for Action
‘All of Our Strength’: Over 1,000 Pro-Israel Activists Gather in DC for Solidarity Conference
‘Devastated’: Wesley LePatner, Killed in Manhattan Mass Shooting, Was a Jewish Communal, Philanthropic Leader
Sen. Angus King Vows to No Longer Vote for Israel Military Aid Until Gaza Conditions Improve
Europe Won’t Pressure Israel to ‘Commit Suicide’ Amid Gaza Backlash, Palestinian State Push, Says Israeli FM
Israel’s National Soccer Coach Attacked in Athens Before Soccer Fans Chant ‘F–K Israel, Free Palestine’ at Match
New York Judge Sentences Neo-Nazi to 5 Years for Livestreaming Bomb Threats Against Jewish Hospitals
US Pressures Lebanon to Issue Cabinet Decision to Disarm Hezbollah Before Talks Continue
UK Plans to Recognize Palestinian State in September Unless Israel Meets Conditions, Starmer Says
Israeli Government Announces New Western Wall Prayer Area
Error: Contact form not found.
by News Editor
A Women of the Wall prayer service. Photo: Women of the Wall.
JNS.org – The Israeli government released a plan on Sunday to oversee the development of a new, temporary egalitarian space at the Western Wall in Jerusalem to be called the “Israeli section” or “Israeli extension.” The new area, which would be situated adjacent to the existing plaza, was planned for nontraditional Jewish streams, including Women of the Wall.
Women of the Wall immediately dismissed the initiative—drawn up by Religious Affairs Minister Naftali Bennett and Cabinet Secretary Avichai Mendelblit—saying, “The expansion has no connection to the sanctity of the Western Wall.”
“I am not willing to have an internal dispute among Jewish people at this holy site before Rosh Hashanah,” Bennett responded.
The government would build the new space at Robinson’s Arch. It is meant to serve as a temporary solution until the Sharansky plan—named after its author, Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky—is implemented and a permanent area is built.
Officials in the Prime Minister’s Office and Sharansky worked together to complete plans for the permanent structure. Sharansky welcomed Bennett’s plan as a temporary solution to the demands of Women of the Wall and other nontraditional Jews seeking a more egalitarian space at the holy site.
