Feinstein ‘Regrets’ Netanyahu’s Western Wall Decision

WASHINGTON – Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) told Jewish Insider on Tuesday that she “regretted” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent move to scrap the Western Wall mixed prayer plan. “I think in this modern day of age: To say, when you have a dramatic historic artifact that has an overwhelming religious interpretation” where both men and women can’t pray together is a “mistake,” the Jewish California lawmaker noted.

When asked about the Taylor Force Act, legislation that would cut off all US economic assistance to the Palestinian Authority unless it stops paying salaries to terrorists, Feinstein offered a firm response. The US assistance to the PA “is a worthy effort. I know the Palestinian leader (Mahmoud Abbas) and I think he’s a very good man,” Feinstein added, who has served in the Senate for 25 years. “The United States should provide help from someone you want something from, but I didn’t want to say that. I don’t like that. I think all you do is alienate. I’m for bringing people together not for pushing them apart.”

Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Bob Corker (R-TN) announced this month that he intends to advance a “Taylor Force like Act” by the August recess.