Police Expel Praying Coeds

Police forcibly removed about 120 Conservative Jewish men and women from Judaism’s holiest site Monday because they angered Ultra-Orthodox Jews by praying together.

Some worshipers tripped and fell as police expelled them from the Western Wall plaza.

It was a reflection of the growing power of the Ultra-Orthodox in Israel - and of efforts by the more liberal Reform and Conservative movements to gain recognition in Israel.

The incident took place on the eve of Tisha B’Av, the date of the Jewish calendar that marks the destruction of the Jewish Temple by Romans in 70 A.D.