A compromise proposal to settle the long-running dispute over women praying at the Western Wall has been welcomed by the British Reform movement.

The arrest of women for wearing tallitot at services during the Kotel has sparked outrage across the Jewish world over recent months.

Reform movement rabbi, Laura Janner-Klausner, expressed “cautious optimism” at the compromise suggested by Jewish Agency chairman Natan Sharansky.

“I am delighted that the concerns of millions of Jews in Israel and worldwide are at last being addressed and that there will be ‘one wall for one people’”, she said. “It is particularly encouraging to hear on the eve of Yom Ha'atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day.”

The idea is to extend the Kotel plaza to an area west of it known as Robinson’s Arch, where egalitarian services are already permitted.

Until now Robinson’s Arch has been separate and worshippers there have complained of restricted access.

If the Sharansky proposal goes ahead, the precinct would be divided into two: one with separate sections for men and women, and another for egalitarian services.