Women of the Wall Blocked by Protestors

A Women of the Wall prayer service earlier this year. PHOTO / Women of the Wall

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Between 5,000 and 7,000 ultra-Orthodox seminary girls turned out to at the Western Wall on Monday morning to counter and prevent the monthly prayer session of the controversial prayer-rights activist group Women of the Wall.

Approximately 250-300 people showed up to participate in Monday’s prayer service of Women of the Wall, which seeks egalitarian prayer at the Western Wall, as opposed to the current gender separation at the site. The ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism political party organized the appearance of the seminary girls, the Jerusalem Post reported. Meanwhile, a smaller group of about 1,000 ultra-Orthodox men stood nearby, shouting insults at the women’s group.

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According to the Associated Press, the Women of the Wall accused the Israeli police of cooperating with the Orthodox protesters. Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld denied the allegation and said the police were protecting the women’s group. The police arrested three Orthodox male protestors for public disturbance.