Affirming Commitment to the Full Implementation of Kotel Agreement

Whereas 5 Iyar 5778, corresponding to 19, April, 2018 is Israel’s 70th Yom Haatzmaut, Independence Day; and

Whereas the Jewish Agency for Israel, representing world Jewry through its constituent members, the World Zionist Organization, the Jewish Federations of North America and Keren Hayesod, ensure the future of a connected, committed, and mutually responsible global Jewish People with a strong Israel at its center and inspires Jews throughout the world to connect with their People, heritage, and homeland, and empower them to build a thriving Jewish future and a strong Israel; and

Whereas, at the request of the Prime Minister, the Chairman of the Executive of the Jewish Agency was asked to convene world Jewry and negotiate with the Government of the State of Israel to reach an agreement to establish the Kotel as a unifying symbol for Jews around the world, as stated: ‘ONE WALL FOR ONE PEOPLE;’ and

Whereas such an agreement was achieved by the Chairman of the Executive of The Jewish Agency together with the Secretary of the Government, Avichai Mandelblit, and accepted by The Government of Israel January, 2016 and then subsequently “frozen” by the Government June 2017; and

Whereas since that time there have been no serious discussions to achieve a resolution to the crisis; and

Whereas The Government is currently taking unilateral steps to implement only one of the three essential aspects of the agreement by beginning construction at the site of the Southern Plaza of the Kotel, known as Robinson’s Arch;

Therefore be it resolved that The Jewish Agency continues to call upon the Prime Minister and the Government of Israel to implement the Kotel Agreement in full, containing its three essential elements - one entrance, inclusion in supervision and management of the site and physical improvements to the site.