Conservative Jews pelted at Western Wall service

Four Orthodox protesters were detained by police.

Conservative leaders praised the police officers' actions, comparing last Friday's events to a service held two years ago when the worshippers were escorted out of the plaza under a hail of garbage from the windows of a nearby Orthodox yeshiva.

"Two years ago, the police led us away and left the rock-throwers. This year they protected us and led away the people who were breaking laws," said Rabbi Andy Sacks of Masorti, as the Conservative movement is known in Israel.

Sacks noted that the Conservative service had been under way undisturbed for about 90 minutes before the unrest began.

Shimon Malcha, a spokesman for Israel's Religious Affairs Ministry, blamed the Conservative service for the unrest.

"It was deliberately planned to coincide with days when there is crowding at the plaza. We regret that the Israel police allowed the provocation," he said.

Mixed-gender services during several Jewish holidays at the Western Wall Plaza have in recent years turned into a focal point of tensions between Orthodox and non-Orthodox Jews.