The cabinet approves the expansion of a non-Orthodox prayer section of the Western Wall, intended for mixed-gender services.
Called Ezrat Yisrael, the new area would be located in the plaza’s southernmost corner underneath Robinson’s Arch, separate from the Wall’s main plaza.
The plan is opposed by ultra-Orthodox lawmakers, who reportedly intend to try to block funding for it.
Interior Minister Aryeh Deri (Shas) and Yaakov Litzman (UTJ) said earlier Sunday that they would vote against the initiative in the cabinet, with Deri adding that the State of Israel had always conducted itself according to the principles of Orthodox Judaism.
Also opposed are Agricultural Minister Uri Ariel (Jewish Home), Religious Affairs Minister David Azoulay (Shas) and the head of the Knesset Finance Committee Moshe Gafni (United Torah Judaism).
–– Stuart Winer contributed
In this Friday, Oct. 8, 2010, file photo, an Israeli woman of the Women of the Wall organization wears tefillin, a leather strapped box containing Torah scripture which is used for prayer, as she holds a Torah and prepares to pray at the Western Wall, the holiest site where Jews can pray in Jerusalem’s Old City. (AP Photo/Tara Todras-Whitehill, File)
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