'Women of Wall' arrested • Judge reprimanded police

Israeli police prepared this morning (Thursday) with reinforcements at the Western Wall for the coming of 'Women of the Wall' to conduct a prayer at the plaza.

Police arrested several women wrapped in Talis during a prayer at the place, contrary to the ruling of the High Court. The women were brought before a judge to extend their detention, but a Judge of the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court decided to release the five women unconditionally, and criticized the police: "disorder at the scene, as much as there was such, there was no disturbance on their behalf "

The service began at around 7:00, and soon after the three women wrapped themselves in prayer shawls in the Ezras Nashim, which is against the law, and were detained for questioning at the police station.

Shortly thereafter, a man of about 65 lit in the men's section a prayer book of Women of the Wall, and was detained.

One of those detainees is the organization's executive director, Leslie Sacks, who said that the detention is reminiscent of dark periods in our history.

The ceremony was attended by several dozen women, including MKs Michal Rozin and Tamar Zandberg of Meretz.

Police also detained women at the entrance, after it found tefillin in their handbags.

Rav of the Western Wall and the Holy Sites, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovitch, expressed sorrow for the provocation held by Women of the Wall and said, "They come to the Western Wall Plaza to hold a conflict against a court decision, while severely offending the feelings of the worshipers. And despite the compromise outline which Mr. Natan Sharansky seeks to promote.

"This is clear evidence that their entire purpose is controversy and hurting others' feelings, while increasing polarization among the nation and making the Wall a war field between fanatics. Instead of looking at this holy place as a "holy ground" they turn it into a "battle field" and their behavior is demonstrative in every sense, while inciting hatred and discord among brothers.

"We all have, at this time, to denounce and condemn them so that we can find the common ground and not highlight differences."

Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky, is expected to propose to the government to expand the Western Wall prayer area and assign an area for mixed prayer at Robinson's Arch compound.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!