While they maintain a generally low profile, the PA is aware of their activities and generally has not restricted them. Christians participate in Palestinian official life. A number of PLO Chairman Yasir Arafat's senior advisors are Christians. Occasionally, the PA takes steps to protect Christians. The Israeli Government permits all faiths to operate schools and institutions.
Religious publications are subject to the Publications Laws.
In accordance with Orthodox Jewish practice, men and women pray separately at the Western Wall, Judaism's most sacred site. Reform and Conservative Jews have challenged this practice and sought to pray at the wall in groups including both sexes. A 1995 ruling by the Israeli High Court of Justice allows small numbers of Jews under police escort to pray on the Temple Mount, which is the location of two Muslim holy places and also the former site of the First and Second Jewish temples. Other organized Jewish religious activity on the Temple Mount is prohibited on public safety grounds. The PA requires that religion be taught in PA schools.