If there be elements in whose footsteps the assimilated Theodore Herzl follows, these represent the original Reform people who sought to define Judaism as a religion and not as a nationality. As part of this conception, they deleted the plea to rebuild the Beis Hamikdash from their prayer books. as well as mention of the korbonos of the Musaf prayer, which they eliminated altogether. They regarded the korbonos as an archaic ritual which they did not wish to revive.
The Kosel Hamaaravi symbolized for them "a religion of ruins" and an "antiquated sacrament" which they sought to leave behind them. They deigned to mention the Mikdosh only in the past tense and not as a prayer-plea for the future. Instead of saying "We shall perform before You the obligated sacrifices", the words were replaced with "which our ancestors made."
The Reform movement in America is in a moribund state. Hundreds of Reform 'temples' have closed down in recent years for a lack of people seeking them. Assimilation is decimating them increasingly, while attempts to cement mixed marriages within the community are destined to failure. The young American generation whose parents initiated the withdrawal from Judaism to Reform find no interest in the ritual practiced in the Reform temples, despite all attempts of the 'rabbis' et all to speak their 'language' and to continually revise their prayer books to tailor to them.
Past Israeli president, Reuven Rivlin, when still a Rightist and Likud Knesset representative, visited a Reform temple in America, expressing his impressions upon his return as follows: "I was very surprised. They are practicing idolatry and not Judaism. Up till now, I believed that the Reform movement was a stream within Judaism, but after a visit in two of their temples, I am convinced that they constitute a different religion altogether with no connection to Judaism whatsoever."
Those selfsame Reform people who witness the process of disintegration in the U.S. are attempting to stick their talons in Israel, with their attempt to gain a foothold in the Kosel is only a small part of their overall design to attain official recognition in Israel, including in the area of 'conversion' and marriage. They already wreaked havoc in America, which they are trying to export to Israel.
Their young generation across the sea significantly supports activities against Israel, Arab narrative, and similarly, preferred the victory of Kamala Harris over Trump.
Netanyahu is wary of this entire camp, and is attempting with all his might to forestall the law being formulated allowing the Chief Rabbinate full and total power over the Kosel. He needs an occasional reminder that he, himself, came to power without any support from the Reform movement in Israel, and not only because they may not even boast a tentative single mandate of support from the population but alternatively, because of the chareidi, religious and traditionalist support of the voters. And if he chooses to prefer the Reform over the traditional population, there are MKs who do this much better than he.
