OPINION – Rachel Azaria MK: Women’s equality in Israel tends to be a mixed bag
Kulanu politician reflects on the state of gender equality in the Jewish state today, as Britain celebrates 100 years of female suffrage
Women in Israel enjoy many benefits for which previous generations campaigned. Glass ceilings have been broken – the governor of the Bank of Israel is female, as are the current and former chief justices, while there are more women in politics than ever before (although still not enough). All of the five-year plans discussed in the Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) are clear about the importance of integrating women in the army.
But the picture is still mixed. Some of the challenges women face in Israel are: sexual abuse and harassment; childcare issues; religious integration in mainstream society; segregation of women in the public sphere; and there is also the issue of “honour killings” in Arab society.
There were many laws passed to prevent sexual abuse and harassment between 15 and 20 years ago, but it is only now being implemented and becoming an integral part of Israeli society. Still, a former president is in jail for crimes he committed against women, and progress is being made. Prostitution wasn’t talked about for many years in Israel. Now, at least, it is being discussed.
There is also the issue of the relationship between religion and state and the contradictory impacts of the integration of the strictly-Orthodox into mainstream society.
That integration is a good thing, but also means that the strictly-Orthodox are bringing demands anchored in their way of life, such as keeping distance from women, into mainstream society. Should we accept these demands as the price for the Charedi to become a greater part of society? Perhaps the answer doesn’t need to be binary.
Related to this is the creeping drive to segregate and exclude women in public. This affected me several years ago when I stood for election in Jerusalem. Like every candidate, I wanted my photo on a bus for the campaign. But, during a discussion with a bus company, I was told there are no women on Jerusalem buses owing to fears of violence from the strictly-Orthodox.
“…integration is a good thing, but also means that the strictly-Orthodox are bringing demands anchored in their way of life, such as keeping distance from women, into mainstream society..”
We went on TV news, and a lawyer offered to represent me in the Supreme Court. The court ruled that what appears in the public sphere in Jerusalem shouldn’t be affected by threats of violence. It took three more years of campaigning about the right of women to sit where they want on a bus and not to be forced to walk on a separate side of the street in a strictly-Orthodox neighbourhood, but ultimately legislation was changed. Change is coming to Orthodoxy in a variety of areas. Ritual bathing in mikvehs and the presence of attendants is already changing, kashrut is on the verge of change, and there is a debate on Shabbat.
Marriage, divorce and conversion remain more complicated. This will take time and is connected to a larger question of the state of Israel defining what it means to be a Jewish state and the role of Jewish law.
Israel in is trying to design a Jewish way of life that is based not on diaspora realities, but on a sovereignty that we have not experienced for 2,000 years. A central question is the role religion should have within this Jewish state. That debate goes on.
There is huge advances in women’s equality and participation in society, but serious ongoing challenges that the Knesset and civil society must tackle.
• The full version of this column is available in the new edition of BICOM’s Fathom journal – see www.fathomjournal.org
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
