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By Naomi Zeveloff March 13, 2017

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told American Reform leaders at a private meeting that he is committed to the deal to create an egalitarian prayer space south of the traditional Western Wall Jewish holy site, Haaretz reported.

Netanyahu promised the delegation headed by Union for Reform Judaism president Rick Jacobs that he would do everything possible to find a solution to the impasse with ultra-Orthodox leaders who oppose the egalitarian site.

Netanyahu spoke for an hour at the meeting, at which the prime minister said he had appointed Tzachi Hanegbi to bridge the gap between the two sides. Hanegbi is a minister at the Prime Minister’s Office who is in charge of national security and foreign affairs.

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In January 2016, the Israeli government committed to create a prayer space where men and women could worship equally in an area known as Robinson’s Arch after negotiations with Women of the Wall and other liberal Jewish groups. The plan stalled amid ultra-Orthodox protest and has been in limbo ever since.

Contact Naomi Zeveloff at [email protected]

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