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Israel’s Knesset to vote on bill giving Chief Rabbinate exclusive control over Western Wall prayer, sparking backlash over religious pluralism and ties with global Jews.
Israel’s Knesset is set to vote on a coalition-backed bill that would grant the Chief Rabbinate exclusive control over prayer at the Western Wall, defining "desecration" by Orthodox standards.
The move follows a Supreme Court ruling demanding urgent completion of upgrades to the egalitarian Ezrat Yisrael plaza, a site meant to accommodate non-Orthodox worship.
Prime Minister Netanyahu canceled a government committee vote to avoid backlash from global Jewish communities, but the bill remains active and is expected to proceed in the Knesset plenum.
Supporters argue it protects religious integrity and resists judicial overreach, while critics warn it undermines pluralism, contradicts past agreements, and risks damaging Israel’s ties with Diaspora Jews amid rising antisemitism.
El Knesset de Israel votará el proyecto de ley que otorga al Gran Rabinato el control exclusivo sobre la oración en el Muro Occidental, lo que provocó una reacción violenta sobre el pluralismo religioso y los lazos con los judíos globales.