Israel moves to control non-Orthodox prayer at the Western Wall, sparking backlash over religious rights at Judaism’s holiest site.
Israeli lawmakers voted to give the Chief Rabbinate full authority over prayer at the Western Wall, threatening the egalitarian section and sparking international criticism. The bill aims to override a recent court ruling supporting non-Orthodox prayer spaces, raising concerns over religious freedom and unity among Jews worldwide. The vote occurred today, February 26, 2026.
Since early April 2026, Jerusalem's Old City holy sites, including Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, have reopened after a six-week closure due to the US-Israeli war on Iran. Far-right Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has repeatedly entered Al-Aqsa, performing Jewish prayers forbidden under the Status Quo, sparking Palestinian and Jordanian condemnation. Restrictions on Muslim worshippers and settler incursions continue, raising fears of escalating tensions and changes to the site's religious status.
On Easter Sunday, Pope Leo urged global hope and condemned war, abuse, and profit-driven violence. He addressed the ongoing conflicts in Iran and Ukraine, highlighted restrictions on religious ceremonies in Jerusalem, and emphasized the importance of hope in darkness. The pope's message focused on justice, vulnerability, and the need for peace.