While it was understood that arrangements were to be made for an egalitarian prayer area at the Kosel, this has yet to be done and the state came under fire at a hearing in the High Court of Justice on the matter on Monday morning, 9 Elul.

The petition heard was filed in 2013, demanding equal representation in the Kotel Heritage Foundation. The court ruled this particular petition was no longer relevant due to the many changes that have been implemented since its filing. However, the court had harsh words pertaining to government foot-dragging and suggested the petitions update their petition to address the lack of implementation of agreements. The court clearly signaled that such a petition would result in the court coming down hard on the government and the chareidi position against any change in the status quo at the Kosel. This also signals that ultimately, the decision regarding the future of the status of the Kosel vis-à-vis Women of the Wall (WoW) and similar organizations may be made by the court, and not the politicians.

High Court President Justice Miriam Maor stated “Enough is enough!”, questioning the state’s inaction over an eight-month period. Her words were echoed by Justice Elyakim Rubinstein.

The court clearly displayed impatience, instructing Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and his coalition to immediately begin implementing arrangements for non-religious prayer in the Kosel area as was agreed.

The Kosel arrangement led to a coalition crisis, with chareidi parties insisting they will not tolerate any change in the long-standing so-called religious status quo, which does not recognize non-religious prayer areas at the Kosel. The chareidi position is backed by Rav of the Kosel & Holy Sites Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz Shlita, and together they have managed to sabotage plans to move ahead with an egalitarian prayer area. the High Court however has told the government that its time has expired and the plan must be implemented without delay.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)