Israel’s new government agreed to provide “requisite services” for non-Orthodox Jews who want to pray at a specially designated area close to, but separate from, the main prayer plaza of the Western Wall. The commitment marks the first time an Israeli government has officially recognized the right of non-Orthodox Jews to hold egalitarian services at the Kotel. The Conservative movement in Israel then agreed, as a “one-time gesture,” not to hold any mixed prayer services on Tisha B’Av. A small group of Reform worshipers, meanwhile, were expected to come as planned on Tisha B’Av to the area, known as Robinson’s Arch, for a mixed prayer service.
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