February 26, 2026

The IRF strongly opposes proposed legislation brought forth by members of the Israeli government coalition to give control of the non-Orthodox prayer space next to the Kotel to the Chief Rabbinate. The purpose of this legislation, as articulated by its authors, is to lead to non-Orthodox prayer near the Kotel being prohibited by legal fiat based on rules established by the Chief Rabbinate.

Passage of such legislation would be a slap in the face to large segments of the Jewish people in the Diaspora and Israel, and serve to distance Jews throughout the world from a sense of connection to the State of Israel, to Torah, and to Halakha. Legislation such as this only creates divisiveness and anger at a time when cohesion and tolerance are sorely needed.

The IRF has been a long-time supporter of the Kotel Compromise from its inception, see past statements here and here.

We call on the current government to uphold the government decision that produced the Kotel Compromise in 2016 during an earlier term of Prime Minister Netanyahu. This compromise was put together by former minister and Jewish Agency head, Natan Sharansky, and was recently reaffirmed by the Israeli Supreme Court.

To paraphrase Psalms, let us ensure that Jerusalem is a city that brings its inhabitants together in community and does not become another flashpoint of internal Jewish division.