Western Wall

Police will try to block Women of the Wall

Police plan to block the organization's buses for fear of provocations at the Kotel.

Petition to prevent 'Women’s Priestly Blessing' at Kotel

Petitioners ask High Court to stop 'offensive and insulting' Priestly Blessing ceremony to be performed by Women of the Wall.

22 sick children celebrate bar and bat mitzvahs at the Kotel

Kav Lachayim brings 22 sick children from around the country together for an emotional bar and bat mitzvah ceremony at the Kotel.

Archaeology Council warns 'Reform Kotel' will destroy history

Israeli Archaeology Council writes to Netanyahu, Regev and Antiquities Authority, demanding plan for new prayer space be stopped.

Government has three months to come up with new Kotel plan

Court tells government to present new plan within three months, refuses to give temporary injunction against Women of the Wall.

Coalition collapse?

Top Shas sage warns Netanyahu over Kotel

Rabbi Shalom Cohen warns Prime Minister he will tell Shas to leave Coalition if government caves in to Reform Jews.

Looking for new agreement with Reform

Agriculture Minister Uri Ariel, Chief Rabbi David Lau discuss how to best oppose moves to officially recognize Reform, change Kotel status.

Coalition crisis

Reform movement warns Netanyahu

In message to PM, Reform leaders demand Kotel decision remain, indicate compromise on mikvaot. Netanyahu promises to help 'quietly.'

The next step for the 'Women of the Wall'

In a petition to the court, 'Women of the Wall' ask permission to bring a Torah scroll into the plaza with them every Monday and Thursday.

Women of the Wall break their promises

In negotiations on new Reform Kotel prayer space Women of Wall promised AG not to smuggle in Torah scrolls - today they were at it again.

Despite powerful influence, Reform Movement not gaining traction

Pew survey shows Reform Movement has failed to gain a following in Israel, despite its powerful political influence.

Cabinet discusses Kotel arrangements - 46 years ago

1970 account shows Labor Ministers opposed Kotel partition even then.

Archaeologists: Kotel plan 'will cause sorrow for generations'

Archaeologists warn that government's plan to modify Kotel plaza would hurt Israel's cultural heritage, strategic assets.

Array of rabbis on Kotel: Don't act without Chief Rabbinate

Elders' Forum of National Religious Rabbis publishes statement on dividing Kotel, asking gov not to take unilateral steps.

Netanyahu remains committed to changes in Kotel

Prime Minister reiterates commitment to a decision to create a new prayer space for Reform and Conservative Jews at the Kotel.

MK Ariel: We won't back down on Kotel

Jewish Home MK demands gov't maintain status quo, not recognize Reform movement in Kotel Plaza changes.

Report: PM reconsidering Kotel reform as opposition grows

As religious opposition grows to Kotel Plaza changes, PM reportedly forced to consider altering plan for Reform section.

Meeting between Netanyahu and chief rabbis canceled

Scheduled meeting on allocation of a non-Orthodox prayer space at the Kotel abruptly canceled.

Demonstrators to Religion Minister: Don't give in to Reform

Dozens gather outside of Religious Affairs Minister David Azoulai's house with signs reading 'One Kotel - One People,' 'No to Reform money.'

Women's group smuggles Torah into Kotel, again

Despite the allocation of a non-Orthodox section, ‘Original Women of the Wall’ bring a Torah into the Kotel complex, generating provocation.

Shas Rabbi says Reform Jews are 'idolaters'

Rabbi David Yosef attacks Reform Movement as 'not Jewish', promises to ‘fight on and not surrender the Kotel’.

Chief Rabbinate criticizes Kotel Rabbi

Chief Rabbinate Council implicitly criticizes Rabbi Rabinowitz for promoting the government’s outlined division of Kotel.

Haredim fume as Reform Movement takes victory lap

Massive Reform delegation invited to Knesset, visits planned Kotel plaza as haredim plan response.

Ex-Prime Minister's ruling on Kotel authority

In discussion over authority transfer for new Reform prayer space, Chief Rabbi brings Levy Eshkol's words from after the Six Day War.

The Kotel controversy

'Coalition should have collapsed on Reform Kotel'

Ex-Minister Yishai slams haredi and religious parties for not saying 'no' to new prayer space, calls Reform 'disappearing Judaism.'

The Western Wall compromise: A small bit of clarity in the dark

Historic letter by leading rabbis forbids Kotel division

In light of new Reform prayer space, letter from top rabbis in early 1970s published, revealing fierce opposition to division into sections.

Non-Orthodox prayer

What is the impact of the decision to allow egalitarian services at the Western Wall on Jewish tradition?

Netanyahu blasts minister's attack on Reform Jews

PM stresses Reform Jews are 'part and parcel' of Jewish people and deserve respect after Yariv Levin slams them for assimilation.

Will the Palestinians thwart Reform Kotel plaza?

PA religious leadership strongly condemns planned new non-Orthodox prayer section at 'Muslim site,' calling it breach of international law.

Deri vows: Reform Movement will never get gov't recognition

Shas leader opposes gov’t decision to expand non-Orthodox mixed prayer section. 'Although they are Jews, they will not get recognition.'

Women of the Wall celebrate gov't approval of egalitarian prayer

At a press conference at the Western Wall, the women say: ‘All Jews in Israel can pray together at the Kotel.’

Government approves egalitarian prayer section at Western Wall

Government approves egalitarian prayer section near Robinson's arch, promises to make it respectable and accessible to all.

MK Ariel: Reform prayer at Kotel an attack on 'Jewish tradition'

Ahead of cabinet vote on allowing egalitarian prayer services at Kotel, Uri Ariel says initiative will only spur 'conflict and division.'

Jewish Home divided on Reform prayer at Kotel

Uri Ariel blasts change to 'status quo' at Kotel while Bennett and Shaked appear primed to vote in favor of proposal to allow Reform prayer.

Government to acknowledge Reform movement for first time

Government expected to accept recommendations on Kotel: 'The Jewish Home should be raising a rumpus."

Terror victim Naor Shalev celebrates Bar Mitzvah at the Kotel

Two months after nearly losing his life in brutal Pisgat Ze'ev stabbing, Naor Shalev is called up to the Torah at the Kotel.

Teen terror victim to light eighth candle at Kotel

Naor Shalev, critically injured in a stabbing in Pisgat Ze'ev, will light the final candle of Hanukkah in public Kotel ceremony.

Rabbi Stern lights 4th candle at Kotel

Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem lit Hanukkah candles alongside MK Yitzhak Herzog. 'Lighting in this place represents victory.'

Kotel and 'Al-Aqsa' top Facebook’s ‘check-in' list

Binyamin Netanyahu is 10th most talked about politician according to Facebook

PA government claims: Israel implementing a 'bi-national state'

PA government blasts Israel and the city of Jerusalem for "defiling" the Western Wall and the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Women of the Wall light Hanukkah candles at Kotel

Group succeeds in lighting candles for Hanukkah at the Kotel in defiance of traditional practice.

Abbas opposes construction at the Kotel Plaza

PLO Executive Committee condemns 'Beit Haliba' construction plans, calling them attempt to seize 'Islamic holy site.'

Netanyahu: Israel is a candle in the darkness

PM Netanyahu lights first Hanukkah candle in Jerusalem, says Israel is fighting for its existence and independence.

Kotel rabbi opposes women Hanukkah lighting

After deputy state attorney calls to integrate women in state lighting ceremony, rabbi asks why special section not being used.

Biggest Jewish event ever: 5 million to pray together

This coming Sunday, group hopes to get five million people all over the world to say the 'Tikun Haklali' together.

Palestinian cleric: The Western Wall belongs to the Muslims

Palestinian Arab claims Muslims are the legal owners of the Western Wall and no other person or entity are entitled to it.

PA Drops UNESCO Kotel Bid - Partially

PA backs down on claiming Kotel as a Muslim site, but is still trying to claim Cave of Machpelah and Rachel's Tomb.

Lapid to British FM: UNESCO Bid Part of PA's Incitement

Yesh Atid chairman asks Britain’s Foreign Secretary to thwart PA initiative to pass resolution on Kotel at UNESCO.

UNESCO Chief Blasts PA Attempt to Claim Kotel as Muslim Site

Director-General issues statement 'deploring' proposal, backed by Arab states, to claim Kotel as part of Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Diaspora Jews Livid at PA Bid to Claim the Kotel at UNESCO

Jewish leaders in the United States, Europe condemn proposal to claim Western Wall as Muslim site as 'an affront to Jews everywhere.'

American Lawmakers Urge Action Against UNESCO Kotel Resolution

Reps Nita Lowey and Ted Deutch ask ambassador to UNESCO to work to block the PA from claiming Kotel as its own.

'Arafat's Legacy of Lies Continues with Abbas'

Foreign Ministry officials confirm to Arutz Sheva an active fight against the PA's push to claim the Kotel as their own.

De Blasio Prays 'Emotionally' at Western Wall

NYC mayor tours Kotel Tunnels with large Jewish delegation after nighttime prayer at Western Wall.

PA Tries to Claim Western Wall at UNESCO as 'Muslim Site'

Proposal, likely to pass due to Muslim majority, would have Kotel renamed Buraq Plaza and made part of Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Defiance through prayer

Watch: Worshipers, Visitors Not Deterred by Jerusalem Violence

Jewish worshipers at the Kotel this morning tell Arutz Sheva why last night's terrorist attacks only strengthened their resolve to come.

Watch: Chief Rabbi Leads Prayer Rally at the Kotel

Sephardic Chief Rabbi Yosef calls prayers to show defiance after stabbing attack, urges Jews to turn out at site in demand for security.

Arab 'Screamers' Harass Officials Visiting Kotel

Arab women wail at Jerusalem officials visiting the Western Wall through the Damascus Gate route.

PA Media: Birkat Kohanim? Jewish 'Desecration of Al-Buraq Wall'

Forget the Temple Mount - Palestinian Press Agency says Western Wall is Muslim, Jewish Priestly Blessings 'desecrate' it.