MK Maoz Accuses MK Rotman of Supporting Mixed-Gender Prayer Area at Western Wall

Amid clashes at the Western Wall on July 15, 2026, MK Avi Maoz accused MK Simcha Rotman, chairman of the Constitution Committee, of backing the establishment of a mixed-gender prayer plaza at the site, aligning with Reform movement plans. Maoz made these claims during an interview with "Olam Katan," linking the tensions to ongoing disputes over the Western Wall Law, which he says the coalition is deliberately delaying for political reasons and to support the mixed plaza initiative.

Maoz, a key proponent of the Western Wall Law, criticized the coalition for stalling the legislation, alleging it is to prevent him from scoring a political victory and because some coalition members favor the mixed prayer area. Last month, Maoz demanded that Rotman allow the bill to advance through a different committee, arguing it was being "buried" in the Constitution Committee and not progressing adequately.

The controversy erupted earlier that day when activists known as "Women of Provocation" brought a Torah scroll into the women's section of the Western Wall plaza during Rosh Chodesh Av, violating the Chief Rabbi's regulations. This led to confrontations with female worshippers opposing the act, resulting in one arrest by police. Maoz, who was present with other activists, vowed to bring the Western Wall Law to a vote in the next Knesset before a new government forms, aiming to legally protect the sanctity of the site and prevent similar incidents in the future.