Posted on 07/14/17
| News Source: YWN
Following the decision by Supreme Court President Miriam Naor that there is no reason to extend the State’s deadline to respond to the High Court of Justice on the outline of Kosel, with the deadline being Monday 23 Tammuz, attorney Ze’ev Sharaf has filed a petition representing organizations that oppose the Kosel arrangement. He filed and urgent petition for an order permitting the Chief Rabbinate of Israel be allowed independent legal representation.
“Since the attempts to obtain the Attorney General’s approval for a separate representation were unsuccessful, a petition is being filed,” explains attorney Sharaf, adding, “The position of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel is that it is forbidden to change the rules of tefilla as the Kosel. The existence of ceremonies that are not in accordance with halacha at the Kosel are a Chilul Hashem and therefore, should not be permitted. This position of the Rabbinate is inconsistent with the position represented by the Attorney General”.
“The Chief Rabbinate, like any litigant, is entitled to exercise its basic and fundamental right to appropriate and proper representation by means of an attorney who will try to convince the court of its position, even during the preliminary hearing that will take place on the petitions”.
“The Supreme Court President’s unwillingness to permit the Chief Rabbinate to present its position in a worthy manner is another proof that the president is leading an extremist agenda and is not looking for justice”.
“We regret that the Court is obsequious to the extreme reformist elements who are threatening the State and Diaspora Jewry and closing their mouths to those who represent the true will of most of the citizens of the state who want to preserve the unity and holiness of the Kosel”.