Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu clarified Thursday afternoon that the Western Wall bill which is being promoted by Shas chairman Aryeh Deri is not on the government's agenda.
"I heard the headlines this morning about the Western Wall and I would like to reassure and clarify: the status quo at the Western Wall, which is precious to all the people of Israel, will be maintained as it is today. I have also talked with my friends, the leaders of the factions, and it is accepted by all that the law will not be brought up now. Even if it were to be brought up, it would not be brought up with the clauses imposing criminal charges on certain clothing or musical instruments that were written 40 years ago and are not acceptable to anyone". Netanyahu said.
"Therefore, the Wall will remain exactly as it is today", the Prime Minister declared.
Prior to Netanyahu's comments, Justice Minister Yariv Levin informed the coalition leaders that he does not intend to discuss the bill or vote on it at the discussion of the Ministerial Committee on Legislation this coming Sunday.
According to the proposed legislation, only religious ceremonies that comport with the existing traditions at the Western Wall and that do not offend religious sensibilities will be permitted at the holy site. In addition, it will be clearly defined in law that tefillin (phylacteries) and Torah scrolls are not to be introduced to the women's section of the Western Wall prayer plaza. Modest dress will also be required for those visiting the site.
The bill also stipulates that Western Wall traditions are to be decided upon by the Chief Rabbinate along with the Rabbi of the State's holy sites. Anyone who transgresses the regulations places himself at risk of receiving a distancing order from the Western Wall along with a six-month prison sentence or a fine of ten thousand shekels.
A senior Shas official said that the bill was submitted in haste because of the Supreme Court refused to postpone a certain discussion and that it would not include the clauses imposing criminal penalties when the final version is passed.
The bill caused an uproar and many condemnations - including from within the coalition. Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar published a statement in which he said that maintaining the status quo is "critical" to maintaining the unity of the Jewish people: "The Western Wall belongs to all the people of Israel and is sacred to all Jews and there is no need for laws to maintain the sanctity of the place. Maintaining the status quo is critical to maintaining the unity of the people".
Opposition leader Yair Lapid published a post on Facebook in which he wrote: "This legislation means one thing: the Western Wall no longer belongs to everyone. The most extreme government in the country's history continues to tear the people of Israel apart. They will not decide for us who is more Jewish and who is less Jewish. If this legislation passes, Israel would no longer be a free country. Instead of a symbol of unity, the Western Wall will become a symbol of the oppression of women, discrimination against secular people, and the dissolution of our alliance with world Jewry".
MK Zeev Elkin (National Unity) said that the bill should be dubbed the "sleeves law" and lambasted MK Deri. "Two Deri Laws in one week? No immodest dress at the Kotel, no musical instruments, no unauthorized ceremonies - or a half-year jail sentence? Have you all freaked out? The sole consolation is that at least according to the first Deri Law, anyone who receives such a punishment of a half-year's prison sentence will still be able to serve as a government minister. So one might say that the two Deri Laws balance each other out."