Head of women’s group detained at ‘Western Wall’

Jérusalem / AFP

The head of a group of women activists pushing for equal prayer rights at Jerusalem’s Western Wall was detained on Tuesday after taking a Torah scroll there in defiance of the holy site’s rules, the group said.
The incident comes as activists, Israel’s government and the ultra-Orthodox Jewish establishment debate a controversial plan to create a mixed prayer space at the ancient wall, the holiest site where Jews are allowed to pray.
Lesley Sachs, executive director of the Women of the Wall activist group, was detained as she was leaving with the scroll after attending a prayer service at the wall, the group said.
Israeli police confirmed she had been detained for questioning and had yet to be released, but did not provide other details.