Sharansky ‘deeply disappointed’ by decision to freeze Western Wall plan

Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky expresses “deep disappointment” at Netanyahu’s decision to freeze the government-approved plan to establish a pluralistic prayer pavilion at the Western Wall.

“I must express my deep disappointment at today’s decision by the Government of Israel to suspend the implementation of its own decision to establish a dignified space for egalitarian prayer at the Western Wall,” he says in a statement.

“Today’s decision signifies a retreat from that agreement and will make our work to bring Israel and the Jewish world closer together increasingly more difficult,” Sharansky says.

He adds that the compromise deal struck in 2016 “was accepted by all major denominations and was then adopted by the government and embraced by the world’s Jewish communities.”

“The Jewish Agency nevertheless remains staunchly committed to that work and to the principle of one wall for one people,” said Sharansky.