It has been about two weeks since the heads of the chareidi factions in Knesset; Aryeh Deri, Yaakov Litzman and Moshe Gafne; together with the Chief Rabbis of Israel, called on Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to cancel the cabinet decision to establish the egalitarian prayer area near the Kosel, decision 1075. They called on Mr. Netanyahu to bring the matter before a cabinet vote and while there have been two cabinet meetings since, the matter has not appeared on the agenda.

They feel that if the cabinet decides to recant the decision, it may impact the High Court of Justice, which is currently reviewing petitions on the matter. Mr. Netanyahu however is stalling, clearly, he prefers the High Court to compel his hand rather than appear to be giving into chareidi pressure on the matter. The chareidim fear if the decision is not reversed, the High Court is likely to compel the government to implement the decision and establish the prayer area.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)