‘Iran 2 is here’: Coalition party aims to criminalise non-Orthodox Western Wall prayers

Jewish organisations and opposition lawmakers have savagely condemned a new bill put forward by the ultra-Orthodox Shas Party, which would put new restrictions on prayers at the Western Wall. 

The bill, sponsored by Shas Party lawmaker Uriel Buso, would see a ban on egalitarian prayers, criminalise the Women of the Wall’s activities and ban visitors wearing immodest clothing.

Anyone violating those restrictions could face six-months in prison or a pay a NIS 10,000 (2,372 pounds) fine.

The bill would also see a ban on music and singing without prior approval. The restrictions will not be limited to the Western Wall but be extended to the entire site, including the egalitarian plaza.

Anyone violating restrictions could face six-months in prison or a pay a NIS 10,000 (2,372 pounds) fine.

Vice chairman of World Zionist Organization, Dr. Yizhar Hess, condemned the new bill, saying: “The law proposed today to imprison and fine Jews for practicing Judaism at our people’s holiest site is a stain on the Jewish state The Kotel belongs to every Jew. Period. We will fight any attempt to criminalise millions of Jews practicing their faith in their state.”

“Today’s news is further proof  that the battle for a democratic, liberal, and pluralistic Israel that’s a home for each and every Jew belongs not to Israelis alone. Jews around the world must make their voices heard. This is a battle not only for the soul of the State of Israel: it is a battle for your fundamental rights in your homeland.”

Women of the Wall also reacted strongly to the bill, calling it “outrageous.”

“The proposed law is an outrageous, extremist attack on freedom of worship. In 2023, women would be arrested, fined, and prosecuted in the Jewish State for praying according to Jewish custom. We will not stop praying the way we have for over three decades,” Women of the Wall executive director, Yochi Rappeport, said.

“If we have to sit in jail, we will sit in jail. We will not back down from the fight for women’s rights at our holiest prayer site. This is an emergency – all Jews around the world who value religious freedom must act now,” Rappeport added.

The Reform Movement also issued a statement, calling it “an absolute shame,” and that the government is “encouraging thuggery, polarisation and violence and advancing an extreme policy.”

The bill was also criticised by some coalition lawmakers, including Sports and Culture Minister Micki Zohar who said the Western Wall “belongs to the entire Nation of Israel and is sacred to all Jews, and there is no need for laws to preserve the site’s sanctity. Preserving the status quo is critical to safeguarding the nation’s unity.”

Opposition leader Yair Lapid accused the “extremist government” of  continuing to “tear the Nation of Israel apart.”

Yisrael Beitenu party leader Avigdor Lieberman was particularly harsh in his condemnation, stating that “Iran 2 is here.”