Avi Maoz Pushes to Move Western Wall Bill Away from Rotman's Committee

After sharp criticism of MK Simcha Rothman, MK Avi Maoz is pressing for the “Western Wall Law” to be taken out of the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee and sent to another committee. Maoz says the move is needed because of heavy workload in Rothman’s committee, but the practical aim is to remove the bill from Rothman’s control after it has stalled there.

In a formal letter to Rothman, Maoz wrote, “Due to the legislative pressure in the committee you chair, I am approaching you and asking for your consent to transfer the bill under discussion to an alternative committee.” If Rothman agrees, the proposal would return to the Knesset Committee, headed by MK Ofir Katz, which would determine its next step.

Maoz also sent a separate letter yesterday to coalition chairman Ofir Katz, asking him to remove the bill from the Constitution, Law and Justice Committee and move it to another committee so it can be completed during the current Knesset term. He says the bill, which is meant to block the Supreme Court from intervening in matters related to the Western Wall, has been delayed for a long time despite already passing its preliminary reading with support from most coalition lawmakers.

In his letter, the chairman of the Noam party accused Rothman of a contradiction, writing, “It is strange to me how with one hand MK Rothman leads a fight against Supreme Court intervention in government authorities, and with the other hand effectively helps the Supreme Court and the Reform movement take over the Western Wall and allow its desecration.” Maoz warned that continued delay could let the court and the Reform movement shape what happens at the site, and he urged an urgent discussion in the Knesset Committee. He ended with a warning that if the law does not pass in the current Knesset, the coalition will be blamed for abandoning the Western Wall and handing it to the Supreme Court and Reform activists.