I sent the Israeli Embassy an email provided to me by NIF and the Religious Action Center of the Reform movement, supporting the Women of the Wall’s call for gender equality at the Kotel/Western Wall. This is their reply. Pfft.
———- Forwarded message ———-
From: IsraelEmb DC
Date: Thu, Jan 21, 2010 at 1:54 PM
Subject: RE: In favor of Women at the Wall
To: KFJ
Thank you for writing to the Embassy of Israel.
The State of Israel affirms its commitment to upholding its democratic and pluralistic values and to ensuring freedom of religion on a daily basis. In this spirit, Israel’s High Court of Justice ruled on April 6, 2003, that space adjacent to the Western Wall should be specifically designated for the conduct of religious services that do not conform to long-established practice at the area known as the Kotel. In light of this ruling, the site or Robinson’s Arch, which adjoins the Western Wall and is along the same retaining wall of the Temple Mount above, was designated to host egalitarian services that encourage both men and women to wear tallit and read from the Torah.
While this arrangement does not fully satisfy each and every person’s demands, the profound sensitivity of the matter has made compromise an imperative. The current situation provides all Jews with an outlet for religious expression next to Judaism’s most sacred site.
It is vitally important to Israel that the status of the Western Wall be preserved as an iconic symbol of the Jewish people. As in any law-abiding country, violating the stipulations of the Court’s ruling constitutes an offence that is subject to law enforcement. In full accordance with the instruction of the High Court, we will continue to guarantee that all Jews are afforded the opportunity to assemble and pray in its vicinity.
Sincerely,
Office of Public Affairs
Embassy of Israel