Israel Police has canceled the planned interfaith prayer event scheduled to take place on Hoshana Raba at the Kosel HaDromi R”L. An estimated 500 people were planning to take part in the event near the Shar Chulda to the Old City, an event that was funded by the Ministry of Religious Services. The event was to have been a component of the “Tabernacle”, an annual event hosted by the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem.

Chief Rabbi David Lau and Rishon L’Tzion Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef have asked officials to cancel the event. They explained that while religions must respect one another, one cannot sit back and permit an event that by definition calls for an interfaith prayer in contradiction to halacha.

Police on Tuesday night made the final decision after consulting with government officials. Police report that security concerns were a part of the decision-making process.

The Derech Emunah organization, whose rabbonim were fighting to have the event canceled, praised the decision by police and thanking HKBH for preventing the chilul Hashem. The organization’s rabbonim also released a public message thanking the Chief Rabbis of Israel for their mesirus nefesh in the matter.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)