Gedolei Yisrael Sign Scathing Letter Against Kahana’s Plan to Desecrate Kosel

BNEI BRAK (VINnews) — Two Gedolei Yisrael have spoken out against a potential government plan to desecrate the Kosel. Harav Chaim Kanievsky and Harav Gershon Edelstein have signed a scathing letter denouncing the plan, and have called upon the government to abandon it and protect the sanctity of the Kosel.

Although the letter does not mention names, it is clearly directed at Matan Kahana, Minister of Religious Affairs, who according to reports has endorsed a new layout of the Kosel plaza that would be truly devastating.

The headline of the letter is “U’Partzu Chomos Migdolai”, and the text translates as follows:

“Regarding the terrible rumor that someone from Klal Yisrael has come to destroy and cut off all Kodshei Yisrael, after they have persevered to demolish the walls of kashrus and geyrus, which were built through toil to protect as much as possible, their minds have still not cooled, and they have come to harm the remains of the Bais HaMikdash, the Kosel Hamaaravi, which the Shechina has never abandoned.

We hereby strongly object to the intent to desecrate the holiness of the Kosel by giving space and recognition to those who want to destroy our religion R”L. Their mission is to uproot everything and desecrate the Shem Shamayim Chas v’Shalom.

It is incumbent upon every individual to prevent the disgrace of the makom kadosh, and to strengthen Torah learning and Tefila, so that we can merit to prevent chilul Hashem and bring the coming of Mashiach Tzidkeinu quickly.”

In 2017, the “Kosel agreement” passed by cabinet resolution but was indefinitely suspended. In addition to reshaping the layout of they Plaza, the plan would give representatives from the Reform and Conservative movements a position on the site’s governing committee.