Reform movement says shelving Western Wall plan a ‘unconscionable insult’

The Union for Reform Judaism condemns the cabinet decision to freeze the government-approved plan for pluralistic prayer pavilion at the Western Wall is an “unconscionable insult” to the majority of Jews.

In a statement, Rabbi Rick Jacobs places the blame squarely on the prime minister, and vows the Reform movement will fight against the decision.

“Prime Minister Netanyahu’s decision to say ‘no’ to his previous ‘yes’ is an unconscionable insult to the majority of world Jewry,” Jacobs says.

“The Israeli Supreme Court will rule, but even in waiting for the court we will not be still or silent,” he says. “The stranglehold that the Chief Rabbinate and the ultra-Orthodox parties have on Israel and the enfranchisement of the majority of Jews in Israel and the world must — and will — be ended.”