Board of Deputies condemns ‘disturbing’ harassment of worshippers at Western Wall’s Egalitarian section

Board of Deputies Senior Vice-President David Mendoza-Wolfson has condemned the harassment of worshippers at the Western Wall’s Egalitarian section in Jerusalem.

David said: “The scenes at the Western Wall’s Egalitarian section, where those celebrating a Barmitzvah were harassed by religious extremists, are profoundly disturbing.

“We are entering a time of year when we mourn the destruction of the Temple, which we are told was brought about through Sinat Chinam, baseless hatred between Jews. Such attacks, near the site of that destruction, show that nearly 2000 later, key lessons have not been learned.

“This is far from the first time such an altercation has taken place; we urge the Israeli authorities to ensure proper protections are put in place so that that religious extremists can no longer harass Jews of other denominations. And will be writing to the Diaspora Minister to express our concerns.”