Five women arrested at prayer wall

Israeli police have arrested five women who were praying at the Western Wall in Jerusalem for performing religious rituals that ultra-Orthodox Jews say are reserved for men.

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said about 120 women arrived for their monthly prayer service today and five were detained for wearing prayer shawls.

The arrests come a day after Israeli authorities proposed a compromise to defuse tensions over their services by establishing a new section at the site where men and women can pray together.

The Western Wall, believed to be the only remaining part of the biblical Temple compound, is the holiest site where Jews can pray. It is currently divided into men’s and women’s sections. Orthodox rabbis, who control Israel’s religious institutions, oppose mixed prayers.

The new proposal still needs government approval.