Current News
Zionist Federation states Kotel must remain a home for the whole Jewish people
Monday, April 27, 2026 at 6:04 pm
The Zionist Federation of Australia has raised concern about proposed legislation before Israel’s parliament that would place prayer arrangements at the Western Wall under the authority of the Chief Rabbinate, as Progressive and Masorti groups warn the move could criminalise non-Orthodox worship.
Men pray at the Western Wall
ZFA President Jeremy Leibler said the issue goes to the core of Israel’s relationship with Jewish communities worldwide.
“The Kotel is not the property of one stream, one party, or one religious authority. It is one of the great symbols of Jewish memory, longing and return. It must remain a place where every Jew can feel they belong,” he said.
Mr Leibler pointed to the 2016 Kotel compromise as the most balanced framework, preserving the traditional character of the main plaza while providing a recognised egalitarian space at Ezrat Yisrael.
“It was a serious effort to hold the Jewish people together, not to divide us,” he said.
He warned against deepening internal divisions at a time of heightened pressure on Israel and Jewish communities.
“Jewish unity cannot mean asking some Jews to stand at the margins of a place that belongs to all of us. It means making space, with dignity and respect, for the diversity of Jewish life,” he said.
“A Jewish state that asks world Jewry to stand with it in moments of crisis must also ensure that world Jewry is not made to feel like a guest in its own sacred story.”
In a joint statement issued on 26 February, the Union for Progressive Judaism, ARZA and Mercaz-Masorti said the legislation would have serious legal and communal consequences.
Jeremy Leibler
“We strongly condemn the advancement of legislation that would grant the Chief Rabbinate exclusive control over prayer at all areas of the Western Wall, one of Judaism’s most sacred sites,” the organisations said.
They warned the proposal could expose non-Orthodox Jews to criminal penalties. “The proposed law would effectively criminalise non-Orthodox Jewish worship, preventing Jews, particularly members of Masorti and Reform communities from holding prayer services at the Wall under the threat of imprisonment for up to seven years.”
The joint statement framed the issue as one of religious freedom and equality. “This is a law that targets Jews who are not orthodox and undermines the fundamental principle of freedom of religion,” it said.
“This holy site belongs to the entire Jewish people and must not be subject to political control or religious coercion.”
It said the implications extended beyond Israel, particularly for Australian Jews affiliated with Progressive, Reform and Masorti movements.
“For the majority of Australian Jews who identify with Progressive, Reform, or Masorti traditions, these developments feel like a direct assault on the legitimacy of our own religious lives,” the statement said.
“For the Australian Diaspora, this is more than a local Israeli dispute; it is a question of whether the Kotel remains a home for one wall for one people, or a site where the diversity of our tradition is legally erased.”
“At a time when the Israeli government is asking for our unwavering advocacy and support in the face of rising global antisemitism, it is simultaneously signaling that our Judaism is ‘second-class’ or, worse, a legal transgression.”
“It feels as though the State of Israel is criminalizing our very identity as Jews,” the statement added.
The organisations said they would write to the Israeli Embassy in Australia urging action to prevent the legislation from becoming law.
The ZFA called on Israeli decision-makers to uphold the existing compromise and ensure the Western Wall remains a place accessible to all Jews.
IDF soldier killed, six wounded in Hezbollah drone strike in Southern Lebanon
Monday, April 27, 2026 at 5:32 pm
An Israel Defense Forces soldier was killed and six others were wounded in a Hezbollah explosive drone strike in Southern Lebanon on Sunday, the military said.
Netanyahu cancels Lag B’Omer pilgrimage over Hezbollah threats
Monday, April 27, 2026 at 4:36 pm
Israel will sharply scale back one of its largest annual religious gatherings this year, as security concerns along the northern border continue despite a declared ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Bennett and Lapid join together to challenge Netanyahu
Monday, April 27, 2026 at 2:07 pm
Former Israeli prime ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid have announced they will contest the next Knesset election on a joint ticket led by Bennett under the name “Yachad” (“Together” in English).
Gazans cast votes in local election for first time in 20 years
Sunday, April 26, 2026 at 5:57 pm
Gazan residents participated on Saturday for the first time in two decades in municipal elections organised by the Palestinian Authority.
IDF kills terrorists in Lebanon amid Hezbollah’s ongoing ceasefire violations
Sunday, April 26, 2026 at 1:25 pm
The Israel Defense Forces killed more than 15 Hezbollah terrorists in Southern Lebanon over the weekend as the Iranian proxy continued to challenge the fragile truce.
Thousands of submissions to Commission lay bare antisemitism in daily Australian life
Sunday, April 26, 2026 at 11:39 am
The Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion has received more than 3500 submissions, far exceeding expectations and underscoring the scale of antisemitism affecting Jewish Australians.
IDF enforces new Southern Lebanon security zone
Friday, April 24, 2026 at 5:25 pm
The Israel Defence Forces rapidly detected and eliminated armed Hezbollah terror operatives who violated newly established ceasefire understandings in southern Lebanon on Monday, as a new expanded Israeli security zone took shape. Read more
Youth HEAR marks Yom Hashoah with message: “You are not alone”
Friday, April 24, 2026 at 5:12 pm
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StandWithUs moves to counter Sydney anti-Israel events
Friday, April 24, 2026 at 3:03 pm
StandWithUs Australia has confirmed it will attend and peacefully respond to two upcoming anti-Israel and antisemitic events being promoted in Sydney public spaces.
First Birthright Israel group since Iran war began arrives from Australia
Friday, April 24, 2026 at 2:29 pm
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Hezbollah only obstacle to peace between Israel, Lebanon, says Israeli FM
Thursday, April 23, 2026 at 6:02 pm
Israel must abandon the idea of making concessions for peace, which have eroded its security, said Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar.
Minns won’t intervene as ‘intifada’ event heads to council hall
Thursday, April 23, 2026 at 5:46 pm
Senior state and federal politicians have declined to intervene in a controversial pro-Palestinian forum scheduled to be held at a City of Sydney venue.
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