Rothman Holds Up Western Wall Bill Amid Coalition Friction

A bill meant to enshrine the Western Wall’s status in law and preserve the status quo at the holy site has been stalled in the Knesset for a long time. According to people familiar with the matter, Knesset Constitution Committee chairman MK Simcha Rothman is refusing to send it to the Knesset Committee, chaired by MK Ofir Katz, a step needed for the legislation to move forward. Katz has reportedly asked him to do so, but Rothman has not complied.

The delay has drawn growing criticism in the religious-Zionist and national camp, especially because the bill has long enjoyed broad support from those who see the Western Wall as a national and spiritual asset that should be protected in explicit legislation. C14 reported in recent weeks that the issue was not included in the understandings or demands raised by the ultra-Orthodox parties during the latest coalition crises, prompting anger among some religious-Zionist figures who said political and budgetary matters were being prioritized over one of the most symbolic issues for traditional and religious Israelis.

Nahem party chairman MK Avi Maoz voiced that frustration on X, writing, “If the Haredim indeed made a deal with Netanyahu while the Western Wall law was left out of the deal, they should be ashamed. Anyone who abandons the Western Wall to the Reform and the High Court for a political achievement proves that politics matters more than the sanctity of the remnant of our Temple.” His remarks were not aimed at Rothman, but they underscored the widening disappointment among supporters of the bill.

Rothman, who has long been seen as one of the leading opponents of High Court intervention in religion-state issues, declined to respond to C14’s repeated requests for comment. In his response, he said, “When I expressed my position on the Western Wall law, I was thrown off your broadcast. If one day you want to have a discussion about the Western Wall law, let me know.”