The Supreme Court ordered the state this morning (Sunday) to respond by 12:00 noon on its position on holding prayers at the Western Wall - including in protected areas - even during the fighting.
The petition is directed against the State of Israel, the Home Front Command, the Israel Police, and the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, alleging a serious violation of fundamental rights - freedom of religion and worship, the principle of equality, and human dignity.
The decision was made following an urgent petition filed last night demanding the opening of the Western Wall for large-scale prayers. Judge Ruth Ronen made it clear in her decision that the hearing on the petition may take place as early as today.
According to the petitioners, the state imposes significant restrictions on holding mass prayers at the Western Wall, including in protected spaces - such as the covered plaza and the Western Wall tunnels - while at the same time allowing other gatherings, including demonstrations.
The petition claims that this is clear discrimination: public and private transportation continues to operate, demonstrations are held, and gatherings are permitted - while prayer, specifically in a regulated and protected place, is significantly limited.
According to the petitioners, this situation "seriously damages public trust and the rule of law.".
The petition is based on a recent ruling by the Supreme Court, which states that even in times of emergency, security needs must be balanced with fundamental rights, and that decisions that disproportionately harm them should not be made.
According to the petitioners, if the freedom of protest in the open air is protected even during sensitive periods, it goes without saying that freedom of worship must be guaranteed, especially in protected areas.
The petition asks the court to order the state to allow prayers in the Western Wall plaza at all hours of the day, to open all protected spaces - including the Western Wall tunnels, to allow widespread observance of the Priests' Blessing ceremony in the covered areas, to refrain from imposing restrictions that are not based on a concrete security need, and to ensure equality between prayers and demonstrations and other gatherings.
Alongside the petition, a request for an urgent interim order was filed, with the aim of allowing the prayers to be held in the coming days - even before the petition is decided.
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