Key facts
- Israel's parliament, the Knesset, passed a law allowing gender segregation in universities.
- The new legislation permits separate master's and doctoral study tracks for men and women.
- The bill enshrines a 2021 High Court ruling that allowed gender-segregated bachelor's degree programs.
- The law passed with 52 votes in favor and 43 against.
- Supporters argue the law expands educational opportunities for religious women.
Israel's parliament, the Knesset, has approved a new law that permits gender segregation in higher education institutions. The legislation, which passed by a vote of 52 to 43, allows universities to offer separate master's and doctoral study tracks for men and women. This move builds upon a 2021 High Court of Justice ruling that permitted gender-segregated bachelor's degree programs under specific conditions.
The bill was sponsored by Limor Son Har-Melech, a member of Itamar Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit party. Supporters, including Zvi Sukkot of the Religious Zionism party, argue that the law will enhance educational opportunities for religious women and expand their freedom of choice.
However, opposition lawmakers strongly condemned the legislation. During the vote, some held signs stating 'Segregation is exclusion.' Avigdor Lieberman, leader of Yisrael Beiteinu, accused the government of attempting to transform Israel into an 'Ayatollah state' and urged academic institutions to disregard the law. Labour MP Merav Michaeli criticized the law, asserting that 'there is no such thing as segregated but equal,' particularly within a government perceived to be acting against equality.