Women of the Wall accused of violating coronavirus restrictions
Women of the Wall attacked at Western Wall, suspect arrested
By JERUSALEM POST STAFFThe Western Wall plaza has been divided into prayer sections to comply with restrictions on gathering outside. May 05, 2020(photo credit: OLIVIER FITOUSSI/FLASH90)
A group of 10 members of the egalitarian feminist activist group Women of the Wall violated Health Ministry and police regulations at the Western Wall on Friday, the Western Wall Heritage Foundation announced.In response to these claims, Women of the Wall denied violating any Health Ministry regulations, and criticized what they described as an illegal body search by Western Wall Heritage Foundation security.The women, who arrived for the second day of Rosh Chodesh Elul alongside hundreds of other men and women, allegedly refused to enter the available prayer areas in the women's section, despite regulations to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Instead, the group reportedly spread out in the upper plaza's public passage area.The group also reportedly attempted to smuggle a Torah scroll inside the plaza by hiding it in a baby carriage under toys. However, it was confiscated at the entrance of the Western Wall, where it was held until the prayer service ended."This group knowingly violated directives mandated by both the police and the Health Ministry and is responsible for its actions, which yet again led to unnecessary provocation at the Western Wall plaza," the Western Wall Heritage Foundation said in a statement, adding that all those coming to the site follow regulations in order to keep public health and avoid spreading COVID-19.In a statement, Women of the Wall CEO Yochi Rapaport criticized the foundation for treating women who wish to pray at the Western Wall in the same vein as terrorists. She added that the security personnel were likely only interested in securing the foundation's "extremist and separatist agenda only, certainly not to... maintain security at the Western Wall."We will continue to come to the Western Wall month after month as we have been doing for 31 years, in the rain, during security tensions and also during a pandemic... until we bring about desired equality."In addition, a young man attacked the group of Women of the Wall activists and attempted to destroy a tefilin box by stomping on it. The activists filed a police report and the attacker was removed by police and taken to court.
