The Chief Rabbis of Israel and leaders of chareidi parties in Knesset met with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to discuss the crisis surrounding the egalitarian prayer area near the Kosel.

Shas party leader Minister Aryeh Deri reportedly told PM Netanyahu that any form of official recognition of Reform Jewry would result in dismantling the coalition government.

Rishon L’Tzion Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef Shlita and Chief Rabbi Dovid Lau Shlita decided to meet with PM Netanyahu on Wednesday evening along with chareidi officials. The rabbonim earlier in the week were no certain if they were going to meet, fearing the meeting would be political in nature and they would not have anything to contribute.

Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit explained to those present the legal issues surrounding the egalitarian area and the chareidi position, but the chareidim remained firm, unwilling to show any flexibility regarding any measure of recognition of Reform Jewry.

Mandelblit warned that if they do not accept the deal accepted in the past, it would lead to the division of the Kosel itself into three, the men and women’s sections and the third for egalitarian prayer. Kikar Shabbos News adds tones were raised more than once during the meeting and the chareidim remained firm, unwilling to show any willingness towards compromise.

Deri was the most vocal, telling the Prime Minister “Let me be perfectly clear, government recognition of the Reform is likely to break apart the government. We will break away”.

Shas and Yahadut Hatorah released a joint statement in which the party leaders vowed they will not tolerate any official recognition of Reform Jewry.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)