Hiddush: The latest arrests of Women of the Wall have become a despicable monthly tradition and are distancing Israel from the rest of world Jewry.

10 women from Women of the Wall were detained for interrogation after finishing their prayers at the Kotel in honor of the new Jewish month.

11/02/2013 15:03

Tags: Women of the Wall · Hiddush · Kotel · Women's rights · Jerusalem

WOW Leader Anat Hoffman arrested on October 17th, 2012. Photo: Michal Fattal

Following the detainment of 10 women on Monday morning, Shahar Ilan, Vice President of Research and Information at Hiddush- Freedom of Religion for Israel, responded to the police intervention. "Arresting these women because of their faith has turned into a despicable monthly tradition. It's a true disgrace and a clear indicator towards the serious decline of religious freedom in Israel."

Ilan continued, "This abuse of power, aimed at religious freedom and women's rights, exists only in radical countries. It is causing serious damage to Israel's image abroad, especially amongst Jews in North America, who view Women of the Wall as a symbol of religious freedom in Israel. This detrimental behavior is further isolating Israel and could cost the country the faith of its supporters. Instead of interrogating the Women of the Wall, the Israeli police should intervene against the thugs at the Kotel who continuously attack the women and deal with them."

"This detrimental behavior is further isolating Israel and could cost the country the faith of its supporters."

According to participants at the event, the service was conducted quietly and respectfully and they finished praying without any disturbance. When the crowd dispersed, the police began to arrest the women.

This month, the group was joined by IDF veterans from the Paratroopers Brigade, who liberated in the Kotel in the Six Day War in 1967. Their presence signified a continuous effort to free the Kotel for the entire Jewish people, but as soon as the veterans left, the police confronted the group and arrested 10 women. Among the detainees was Anat Hoffman, Chairman of Women of the Wall, Lesley Sacks, the organization's manager, and Rabbi Susan Silverman, a Reform Rabbi and sister of popular comedian Sarah Silverman.

Hiddush, along with the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism, several Israeli women's rights groups and other pluralistic organizations filed an official complaint to the Supreme Court to dismantle the Western Wall Heritage Foundation and take away the control of the Kotel from Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, who oversees the site and according to the complaint, "has turned the Kotel into a place for exclusive ultra-Orthodox prayer.