7 years in prison for praying at the Western Wall? Netanyahu's coalition is threatening a war on Jewish unity.
Jewish Telegraphic Agency • • world
Key Points:
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for global Jewish unity and strength in support of Israel amid ongoing multifront conflict since October 7 and rising antisemitism.
- Controversy surrounds proposed legislation by members of Netanyahu’s coalition to restrict religious services at the Kotel to those approved by the ultra-Orthodox Chief Rabbinate, with penalties including up to seven years in prison for non-compliance.
- The bill threatens egalitarian and non-Orthodox Jewish practices at Judaism’s holiest site, potentially banning mixed seating and female-led prayer, impacting millions of Jews worldwide who seek pluralistic worship.
- Despite a 2016 government-approved compromise to create an egalitarian prayer section at the Kotel, successive administrations have failed to
