 In April 2013 , Jewish Agency for Israel leader <unk> <unk> spearheaded a concept that would expand and renovate the Robinson 's Arch area into an area where people may " perform worship rituals not based on the Orthodox interpretation of Jewish tradition . " On 25 August 2013 , a new 4 @,@ 480 square foot prayer platform named " Azarat Yisrael Plaza " was completed as part of this plan , with access to the platform at all hours , even when the rest of the area 's archeological park is closed to visitors . After some controversy regarding the question of authority over this prayer area , the announcement was made that it would come under the authority of a future government @-@ appointed " pluralist council " that would include non @-@ Orthodox representatives . In January 2016 , the Israeli Cabinet approved a plan to designate a new space at the Kotel that would be available for egalitarian prayer and which would not be controlled by the Rabbinate . Women of the Wall welcomed the decision , although Sephardic Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar of Jerusalem said creating a mixed @-@ gender prayer section was paramount to destroying it . The Chief rabbinate said it would create an alternate plan . 
