UTJ and Religious Zionism have asked that the agreements with Likud include a declaration that gender separation at public events and public services will not be constituted discrimination during Israel’s coalition negotiations.
The present discrimination statute in Israel permits gender separation in schools and on beaches but not at public events, which has resulted in chareidi concerts being labeled as discriminatory and unlawful since they were hosted with gender separation or were just for men.
The deputy attorney general recently refused to permit gender segregation, forcing Motti Steinmetz to postpone concerts.
A similar situation occurred when Chabad hosted a public event in Tel Aviv.
Yair Lapid, the outgoing prime minister, compared the measure to Iran’s theocratic regulations.
“At a time when brave women in Iran are fighting for their rights, in Israel, Smotrich and his ultra-Orthodox nationalists are trying to place women behind barriers and legalize separating men from women. Where is Likud? Why are they being silent? This isn’t Iran,” Lapid said.
Merav Michaeli, the Labor party leader, also criticized the action, calling it anti-democratic.
“We warned that a coalition without women would harm women, and they are already demanding that they and the law be able to put women in the back. Women are no less equal. Nobody has the right to decide for anyone else where they sit, what they wear, or whether or not to terminate a pregnancy. This is the fight for our democracy,” she said.
Netanyahu, the leader of the Likud party, has already voiced his opposition to bus segregation.
Even several chareidi women voiced skepticism on the call for gender segregation. Segregation “can expand,” according to Esti Shoshan, the leader of a chareidi women’s movement asking for female representation in leadership positions.
For instance, they might consider starting a radio station where only men can speak, like what happened when Kol Baramah first broadcast.
After the Supreme Court ordered them to modify the situation and add women, it was proven that this had nothing to do with halacha.
Netanyahu, the leader of the Likud party, has already voiced his opposition to bus segregation.
Even several chareidi women voiced skepticism on the call for gender segregation. Segregation can expand,” according to Esti Shoshan, the leader of a chareidi women’s movement asking for female representation in leadership positions.
For instance, they might consider starting a radio station where only men can speak, as when Kol Baramah first broadcast.
After the Supreme Court ordered them to modify the situation and add women, it was proven that this had nothing to do with halacha.
Matan Kahana, a religious MK from Benny Gantz’s National Unity Party, asserted that if the government is sincere about integrating Chareidi Israelis into Israeli culture, it must tolerate such gender segregation.
There are groups of people for whom gender segregation is the norm.
It is itself an imposition to forbid these groups from hosting events when there is a gender divide.
No Israeli citizen will be obligated to attend these activities or enroll in schools that use separation policies.
A person who supports the integration of Haredim into Israeli society cannot force their lifestyle on others.
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