Rabbi apologises to journalist over segregation at Pence visit

Published: 1 February 2018

Last updated: 4 March 2024

THE RABBI OF THE Western Wall sent a letter of apology to the editor of the Globes business daily for the discriminatory treatment of one of its reporters during Vice President Mike Pence’s visit to the site last week.

Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovitch, writing to Globes editor-in-chief Naama Sikuler, said, “I want to express my regret for the anguish suffered by your newspaper’s diplomatic correspondent,” Tal Schneider.

He also said he would “be very happy to set a meeting and visit to the Western Wall soon. The invitation is for you and whoever else you want to bring with you.”

Schneider had threatened to file a lawsuit against Rabinovitch over the segregation of female reporters and photographers from their male counterparts during Pence’s visit. On a podium erected for the journalists in the Western Wall plaza, the women were required to stand behind the men.

The women finally removed a tarp and stood on chairs, so they could see over their male colleagues. The site had been closed to worshipers during the visit.

FULL STORY Western Wall rabbi apologises for gender segregation during Pence visit (Times of Israel)

Photo: Female reporters covering Mike Pence’s visit to the Western Wall on January 23, 2018. Tal Schneider is at left. (Michael Lipin/Twitter, via JTA)