'PM must not continue contempt for Diaspora Jewry'

Executive Director Uri Regev of the Hiddush organization for religious freedom and equality said, Tuesday, that "The ball is in the prime minister's court," when it comes to the outline for mixed-gender prayer at the Western Wall of the Temple in Jerusalem. Responding to Coalition Chairman David Amsalem's call to cancel the outline, Regev said, "Prime Minister Netanyahu must not continue tolerating such contempt for (and humiliation of) Diaspora Jewry and the largest Jewish religious streams at the hands of those who serve in his Government Coalition."

Regev also attacked MK Amsalem for "intransigent blindness to the fact that the vast majority of Israeli Jews reject Orthodoxy and are opposed to their Government's endless surrender to the ultra-Orthodox parties' blackmail, for fear of losing their political support. The vast majority of Jewish Israelis want the State of Israel of actualize the Declaration of Independence's promise of religious freedom and equality for all - and nothing less."