The matter of a final arrangement at the Kosel regarding an egalitarian prayer area has not been put to rest.

While the chareidim have made their position clear that they are unwilling to negotiate any change from the long-standing status quo, others, representing the majority of world Jewry and contributors of money to the State of Israel, do not see eye-to-eye with the chareidim.

The heads of Chareidi factions in Knesset have met with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and explained to him this is a red line, one that will mark the end of the coalition government if he insists on moving ahead with the egalitarian prayer area.

In fact, the leaders of Reform and Conservative Jewry, as well as some liberal Orthodox Jews, feel the egalitarian prayer area is a must, as the Kosel is significant to all Jews.

Pressure is going to increase on PM Netanyahu as hundreds of Jewish leaders from around the world will gather in Jerusalem this week for The Jewish Agency for Israel Board of Governors’ autumn meetings.

The meetings will feature appearances by Speaker of the Knesset Yuli (Yoel) Edelstein; Minister of National Infrastructure, Energy and Water Resources Yuval Steinitz; Chairman of the Zionist Union Avi Gabbai; Chairman of the Executive of The Jewish Agency for Israel Natan Sharansky; and ministers and Members of Knesset representing both coalition and opposition parties.

The gathering will take place at the David Citadel Hotel in Jerusalem and the matter of the future status of the Kosel and the egalitarian prayer area will be discussed, and the attendees are persons of influence who will be pressuring Mr. Netanyahu to confront the chareidim and inform them the current situation is intolerable, demanding accommodating demands for the egalitarian prayer area.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)