Australia joins international call to protect egalitarian worshippers at Western Wall

Australian Zionist and Progressive organisations have written to the Israeli Prime Minister expressing deep concerns about verbal and physical attacks on egalitarian services

The Australian letters follows protests from other international Jewish leaders, who demanded Israel controls extremism, after an attack on egalitarian bar and bat mitzvah services at the Western Wall.

A recent attack on bar and bat mitzvah services prompted US antisemitism envoy Deborah Lipstadt to comment, “Let us make no mistake, had such a hateful incident — such incitement — happened in any other country, there’d be little hesitation in labelling it antisemitism.”

Ultra-Orthodox extremists, most of them children or teenagers, disrupted three bar and bat mitzvah ceremonies at the egalitarian plaza of the Western Wall, shouting, calling the worshipers “Nazis,” “Christians” and “animals,” blowing whistles and ripping up prayer books.

Zionist Federation of Australia President Jeremy Leibler, wrote to Prime Minister Yair Lapid on Friday asking him to provide police protection so all Jews could feel safe at the Western Wall.

Leibler noted Lapid's commitment to governing for all Israelis.

“In that regard, I feel compelled to express to you the deep concern felt by me personally, as well as by the community I represent, about the frequent verbal and physical attacks on people peacefully worshipping, and celebrating Jewish life, at the egalitarian prayer space at the Kotel. I condemn outright those that participated in these attacks, as well as those who condone them, whether explicitly or otherwise.

“The Zionist Federation of Australia has a long-standing commitment of supporting pluralism at the Kotel, and has called on successive Israeli governments to support the rights of all streams of Judaism to have access to our holiest place.

“While some differences between streams of Judaism may never be overcome, it behoves us as Jews to tolerate and respect those differences.”

“I thank you for your strong words condemning the attack earlier this week. However, a clear pattern has emerged over many years—despite political condemnation after each attack, the attacks continue. The Kotel must be a safe space for every Jew, and yet Jews keep coming under attack. I believe it is time to take stronger action.

"It is completely unacceptable that Jews cannot freely express their Jewish identity in the State of Israel. The Government must ensure that police protection is provided to ensure that freedom of worship at the Kotel and that the perpetrators of these attacks must be prosecuted.

“As the prime minister of all Israelis, and as the leader of a country so central to the identity of millions of Jews around the world, I have no doubt that you share these sentiments. And so, on behalf of the Zionist movement in Australia, I urge you to take concrete action as soon as possible.”

A second letter was sent by the Union for Progessive Judaism, Masorti Australia and Arza, the Zionist Organisation of the progressive movement on Sunday.

The letter appealed to the Prime Minister Lapid, who has a personal association with the Masorti movement, to ensure those who disrupt egalitarian prayer at the Kotel face criminal proceedings.

"As someone we know as having expressed support for the Kotel agreement, so that all streams of Judaism in Israel can pray with safety and security at our most sacred place, we now ask you for your action and support in bringing this situation under control. Without in any way wanting to dictate, we do have several specific requests for you to consider providing freedom of worship in Israel.

"It is our belief that the Israeli police could or should be instructed to take action to stop and/or prevent violence against any person or group at the Northern Plaza and Ezrat Israel. We believe it should be normal practice for those behaving in a violent or disruptive way toward others in these areas of the Kotel to be removed and where appropriate face criminal proceedings."

The letter was signed by David Knoll AM and Brian Samuel OAM, Co-Presidents, Union for Progressive Judaism; Helen Shardey OAM, President of the Australian Reform/Progressive Zionist Association; and Eric Lundberg, President, Mercaz-Masorti Australasia.

Photo: Egalitarian worshippers at the Kotel argue with extremists who attacked them (Haaretz)