Israel approves space for men and women to pray together at Western Wall

On Sunday, Israel's Cabinet voted to allow non-Orthodox Jewish prayer at the Western Wall in Jerusalem.

The Western Wall is administered by ultra-Orthodox rabbinic authorities, The Associated Press reports, and there are separate prayer sections for men and women. Prayers led by women and mixed-gender services are forbidden, and in 2013, after complaints from more liberal Jews in the Reform and Conservative movements, a temporary prayer platform for mixed-gender prayer was put up. Now, the government plans to build a $9 million permanent platform for mixed-gender prayer adjacent to the Orthodox prayer area. This new section will not be managed by the Western Wall's ultra-Orthodox rabbi, but rather representatives of the Reform and Conservative movements.

A source told AP that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wanted the plan to go through to please American Jews, despite opposition from the ultra-Orthodox and some members of his government. In Israel, most Jews are secular but follow Orthodox traditions, and Reform and Conservative rabbis are not recognized.

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