Herzog meets with reform and conservative groups to discuss the Western Wall
President Isaac Herzog meets with representatives of Reformation and Conservative groups as well as the Wall Women of the Wall to discuss the future of the egalitarian prayer department at the Western Wall.
According to the Office of the President, Herzog “heard the opinions and suggestions of the various movements and confirmed that he is trying to calm tensions in order to prevent senseless hatred” at the holy site.
The president also condemns “all manifestations of physical and verbal violence,” saying that the Western Wall is “a holy place gazed at by all of the Jewish people in Israel and around the world and that responsibility is required. Reluctance and efforts to find ways for all parts of our nation, in Israel and in the diaspora, to move forward peacefully. “
Labor MK Gilad Kariv, the former leader of the Israeli reform movement, says he is looking forward to “implementing the Wailing Wall Plan, which will enable every Jew in Israel and in the diaspora to pray locally.”
Former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu concluded a deal in 2016 after years of negotiations to set up an egalitarian prayer complex at the Western Wall, but halted the plan a year later under pressure from ultra-Orthodox parties.
Kariv says the groups “will not be caught by Netanyahu” and will move the plan forward.
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has not publicly approved the deal, but members of his administration have indicated that a compromise is in the works.
Kariv and Blue and White MK Alon Tal, along with other officials, are attending the meeting.
Comments are closed.