On January 31st, 2016 the Israeli Government adopted a landmark decision regarding Western Wall Prayer Arrangements. The Western Wall, all that remains of the Second Temple retaining wall, currently serves as the central place of worship for the Jewish people. For years, the Western Wall has been a magnet for many as a site of unique historic, national and religious importance. According to data gathered over the past several years, more than 10 million people visit the Western Wall site each year. Most of the worshippers at the existing Western Wall Plaza pray in what is referred to as the Orthodox custom. However, there are people who wish to pray in a different manner, in accordance with their own identity, path and custom.

Over the past several years, there has been increased public discord regarding the prayer options at the Western Wall, highlighted by the desire of members of the Women of the Wall organization to pray in the Women's Plaza of the Western Wall in accordance with their tradition and the severe resistance their method of worship provokes among the Orthodox public. This disagreement enhanced the need to reexamine the existing prayer arrangements at the Western Wall. To that end, the Prime Minister appointed an advisory team, to examine the existing prayer arrangements, the need for changes, and ways to execute these changes.

 

After examining this issue from all sides, and having heard from the relevant parties, the team formulated a proposed framework, at the heart of which is an expansion of the possibilities for worship at the Western Wall site so that each person wishing to worship at the Western Wall can do so in accordance with their custom and faith. The proposed framework was formulated in an attempt to balance the rights of all relevant parties – to respect, to equality and to freedom of religion and worship – and to do so in a manner that preserves the special historic, national and religious place that the Western Wall holds for the entire Jewish people. The framework is based on the Supreme Court ruling resulting from the struggle of Women of the Wall and on the principles raised therein. The framework combines the old and the new: maintaining the existing status quo with regard to the majority of worshippers at the Western Wall Plaza and establishing a new space, both physically and conceptually, for Jewish prayer in other forms in the southern section of the Western Wall. The framework is intended, on the one hand, to provide proper expression for religious pluralism in Judaism in a manner that will allow the various denominations of Judaism to pray and worship; while, on the other hand, preserving the existing Orthodox method of worship in the northern section, all as part of freedom of religion, and in a manner that is in line with the principles of equality. 

 

This is truly a historical decision, one which removes a painful and difficult controversy in the Jewish world, and in particular between Israel and Jewish communities worldwide. It is a decision that opens a new, bright chapter in Israel – Diaspora relations, one that strengthens our partnership and collaboration on the many issues we are dealing with in Israel.