Netanyahu puts on hold Shas bill to penalize immodest dress at Kotel
The ultra-religious Shas has demanded extreme legislation banning egalitarian, mixed gender prayers, “immodest dress” and “inappropriate music and songs” at the Western Wall, the last relic of the Jewish Temples. Offenders would face six months in jail or NIS10,000 ($2,900) fines. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said Thursday afternoon that the bill would not come before next Sunday’s ministerial committee session as Shas leader Aryeh Deri demanded. The PM released a video for broadcast on Thursday, saying: “I wish to reassure and also to clarify: The status quo at the Kotel, which is precious to all Jews, will be kept precisely as it is today.”