Even as our hearts remain with Israelis seeking cover from incoming rockets, we are pained and outraged that in this time of war, extremist MKs are advancing a bill that would grant sole control over the Kotel as a whole – including the egalitarian section – to the Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) Chief Rabbinate. On March 16, 2026, MK Avi Maoz’s bill was sent to the Constitution, Law and Justice Committee by the Israeli Knesset. The bill could potentially imprison anyone for up to seven years for praying at the Kotel contrary to ultra-Orthodox standards. This bill is a sharp break from the Status Quo at the Kotel, where egalitarian prayers have been held since the 1970s. Join Rabbi Dara Frimmer and Rabbi Josh Weinberg, VP for Israel and Reform Zionism and Executive Director of ARZA for this important discussion.