Western Wall

Hotovely: UNESCO decision an 'affront' to Jews and Christians

Deputy Foreign Minister says UNESCO resolution denying Jewish connection to Kotel a disgrace and an attack on both Jews and Christians.

Israel turns to Vatican for help at UN

Israel asked the Vatican's representative to UNESCO to work to convince nations not to deny Jewish connection to Jerusalem

United Nations: Western Wall not Jewish

UNESCO resolution expected to pass not only denies Temple Mount's Jewish ties, but also portrays Western Wall as Muslim holy site.

U.S. lawmakers urge UNESCO not to rewrite Jerusalem's history

Ros-Lehtinen and Cruz lead bipartisan effort urging UNESCO to reject resolution describing the Temple Mount as holy Muslim site.

Conservatives, Reform sue over Western Wall egalitarian plan

Reform and Conservative movements ask Supreme Court to order government to follow through on egalitarian prayer area next to the Kotel.

Father of terror victim speaks

Father of murdered rabbi: Israel not intimidated

Memorial plaque dedicated to memory of terror victims Rabbi Nechemia Levy and Aaron Bennet.

MK Gafni: Supreme court judges are advising Reform movement

In the wake of attorney-general Mandelblit's decision regarding Western Wall, MK Gafni accused High Court judges of political intervention.

Letters to God delivered to Western Wall

Hundreds of letters addressed delivered to the Western Wall as is traditional before the High Holidays.

Could the Supreme Court rule in favor of reform prayer at Kotel?

In the opinion of Professor Aviad Hakohen, the Supreme Court may take up the issue.

Supreme Court: Why hasn't Kotel plan been executed?

Court rips government for failure to implement its decision to create a prayer space for Reform movement in Kotel Plaza.

'Women of the Wall' convenes shofar ceremony at Western Wall

After initially being denied, local police chief allowed 'Women of the Wall' into the Western Wall plaza this morning with shofars.

'First Temple Mount, then Mecca'

Islamic council slam plans for cable-car to Western Wall as Fatah warns Israel's next target is Muslim holy city of Mecca.

Watch: Worshippers rescue cat stuck inside Western Wall

Jews praying by the Western Wall discovered a cat stuck between the stones of the holy site - and found an original way to extricate him.

Watch: Together as one

Caught on camera: Israel unites at the Western Wall, societal differences forgotten on the national day of mourning.

Reform leaders demand prayer space at Western Wall

Leaders of the reform movement send letter to Netanyahu demanding mixed-gender prayer space at Western Wall for liberal streams of Judaism

After diplomatic blitz, 'offensive' UNESCO vote postponed

A vote to deny the Temple Mount's Jewish significance was delayed, after Israeli diplomats outflanked the resolution's instigators.

Former MK: Reform Movement is trying to uproot halacha

Former Shas MK Rabbi Nissim Ze'ev decries Reform attempts to take over Kotel.

Reform worshippers clash with haredi protesters at Western Wall

Tensions run high as Reform and Conservative visitors clash with protesters at Western Wall, amid controversy over 'alternative' prayers.

Chief rabbis warn Netanyahu: No deals with Reform movement

Rabbis Yosef and Lau say Reform movement must not gain influence in Israel, especially at the Western Wall.

Rock-throwers on Temple Mount wound worshipper at Kotel

Elderly Jewish woman wounded in Kotel Plaza by Arab stone-throwers on Temple Mount.

Petition calls to ban mixed prayers at the Kotel

Petition argues egalitarian prayer goes against 'local custom' defined by the Protection of Holy Places Law.

'Governments should reform tax codes, not religion'

Committee chairman blasts Kotel Plaza changes pushed by Reform movement. 'Don't use the Kotel for a political struggle.'

Brazil 'regrets' UNESCO vote denying Jewish link to Kotel

Brazilian Foreign Minister Jose Serra says his country will change its vote on UNESCO motion, which declared Jewish sites 'Muslim.'

Major security reinforcements at Kotel following terror attack

Jerusalem police beef up security personnel on and around Temple Mount as the first Friday of Ramadan approaches.

Jerusalem Day: Returning to the Kotel

Interview with 1967 IDF iconic warrior

One single iconic and chilling image depicted the moment of reunification of Jerusalem in 1967. ILTV speaks with one of the Kotel heroes.

Report: Women of the Wall bring 'dancer' to the Kotel

Radical feminist group came Monday morning to the Kotel, as they do every Rosh Chodesh, along with a 'dancer', witness says.

50 Holocaust survivors have a delayed Bar Mitzvah

In a moving ceremony at the Kotel, 50 survivors denied their Bar or Bat Mitzvah by Nazis finally get the opportunity to do so.

Priestly Blessing to commence at Kotel

Traditional priestly blessing will be held Monday morning at the Kotel, followed by a ‘reception’ of the chief rabbis of Israel.

Florida official has belated bar mitzvah at Western Wall

Florida Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera, candidate for Senate, recently 'came out' as Jewish.

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.