WATCH: Ultra-Orthodox Protestors Heckle Praying ‘Women of the Wall’ Members
Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
By Thea Glassman August 5, 2016
Protestors greeted Women of the Wall participants with curses, heckling and disruptive whistle blowing during their monthly prayer Friday morning at the Western Wall in Jerusalem.
Approximately ten ultra-Orthodox female protestors gathered around the women, blowing whistles and yelling “Burn alive!” and “Whores!” while police officers stood on the sidelines, according to a press release issued by the feminist group.
One Woman of the Wall member threw a water bottle at the protestors, while others tried to physically embrace them during song.
The multi-denominational prayer group advocates for the right to lead services and read from the Torah in the women’s section of the gender-segregated site.
Men who came to support the female participants on Friday allegedly received similar harassment, including being pushed by yeshiva students.
“[The police] exercise their authority only when it comes to stopping women who pray with Torah scrolls,” wrote Women of the Wall Executive Director Lesley Sachs. “It was unbearable to endure the constant abuse this morning, and watch the police stand by.”
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