Women of the Wall (WoW) and supporters were at the Kosel Thursday morning, 27 Cheshvan, ahead of Rosh Chodesh Kislev. In addition to their regular prayers, they left the area allocated to them and then began dancing and singing in the Kosel Plaza, mixed dancing, with Sifrei Torah in hand R”L.

Kikar Shabbos News quotes eyewitnesses, who explained when they were done with their prayer service, they headed towards the Kosel Plaza singing and dancing, a gender-mixed group, without passing through security and without listening to calls to halt.

Kosel Heritage Foundation officials responded: “Unfortunately, this is a group that came to the Kosel this morning to create a provocation and a media event, well-aware their actions were contrary to the rulings of the High Court of Justice while exhibiting a lack of concern for the religious sensitivities of the majority of mispallalim at the Kosel.

“When there was an understanding that the group was physical pushing its way and intended to go over local practices as established over the years, officials acted with discretion and responsibility in order to prevent bloodshed, and as a result, the group unfortunately entered the Kosel Plaza with the Sifrei Torah and mixed singing and dancing.”

Kosel Heritage Foundation officials concluded they view the entire incident as nothing more than an act of provocation and an escalation in activities on the part of the participants, who chose ignored the High Court rulings and understandings reached vis-à-vis the WoW monthly visits to the Kosel.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)