The decision by Israel’s government to allow non-Orthodox Jewish prayer at Jerusalem’s Western Wall is being seen as a major breakthrough for the country’s long-marginalized liberal believers.
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With the support of American Jewish organizations, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu brought the proposal up for a vote. The site is administered by ultra-Orthodox rabbinic authorities who have a monopoly over religious affairs in Israel.
Traditional and separated men’s and women’s sections will remain at the Wall’s northern end, while the mixed gender section will be situated at its southern end.
The Western Wall is a remnant of the retaining wall of the mount on which the Holy Temples once stood, and is one of the most sacred sites in Judaism.
But Deri insisted the government was forced into doing the bad deal because of the High Court of Justice, which was expected to rule in two weeks that the government had to create an area at the Kotel proper for women to hold women-only prayer services that include public Torah readings and use of tallits and teffilin.
Women of the Wall is a feminist advocacy group working for equal prayer rights for women, including the wearing of a yarmulke and prayer shawls normally reserved for men. The Masorti Movement, known overseas as the Conservative movement, said the cabinet’s decision is an “historic moment” that “brings us measurably closer to the simple, basic fact that there is more than one way to be Jewish”.
Netanyahu has reiterated his stance numerous times “reaffirming Israel’s commitment” to upholding the status quo at the mosque compound under which Jews are allowed to visit but not pray. Shortly after, a temporary prayer platform was erected for mixed-gender prayer, but advocates say it was not an official site and that it was not always open. The new area will be managed by a committee including representatives of the Reform and Conservative movements. She added: “By approving this plan, the state acknowledges women’s full equality and autonomy at the Kotel and the imperative of freedom of choice in Judaism in Israel”.
Three years ago, Natan Sharansky, the chairman of the Jewish Agency, proposed a new egalitarian prayer space as a compromise, but it was only considered a temporary solution.
Last year, the government undid sweeping reforms its predecessor pushed forward aimed at easing conversion to Judaism and weakening the grip of Israel’s Orthodox establishment.
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“I reject the recent disparaging and divisive remarks by ministers and members of Knesset about Reform Jews”, Netanyahu said in a statement issued on Wednesday.
