With Rosh Hashanah on the horizon, Attorney General Dr. Avichai Mandelblit announced he does not plan to become involved in the controversy surrounding the egalitarian prayer area near the Kosel. In his words, the matter is not a legal one but a political issue.

Responding to his words was MK Moshe Gafne, chairman of the Knesset Finance Committee. He insists the matter is not at all political but a professional decision that has to be made towards determining if there is religion in the State of Israel or not.

Speaking with Yated Neeman, Gafne expressed harsh criticism of the attorney general and justices of the High Court, explaining “It is the High Court justices who are political in this case. Their position is not professional but political. They oppose Torah and Yahadut. The courts involvement in this matter professionally speaking is clearly unacceptable”.

Gafne claims justices serving on the nation’s highest court advise leaders of the Reform Movement how to act and when to file a petition, when to pull one and what to bring with them. He adds “the so-called religious justice is more extreme than all others in his assistance to the Reform”.

Hence, Gafne feels it is incorrect to declare this a political matter and bring it before the High Court. He vows “to continue the tenacious battle against the prayer area, and to involve the government if need be to protect and preserve the holy site. We will never recognize the fake preposterous Jewish movement which pokes the holy Torah with its sword”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)