How Real is the Threat of Gender Segregation on Israel’s Streets?

The recent proposal to segregate men and women on certain streets in Bnei Brak, an Israeli city with a large ultra-Orthodox population, has sparked intense debate over gender equality in Israel. At first glance, this issue may seem trivial, given that Orthodox synagogues have separate areas for men and women and conservative practitioners often avoid social interactions with members of the opposite sex. However, scratch beneath the surface, and you’ll find a complex interplay of social, cultural, and political factors.

The proposed segregation originated from a desire to accommodate Orthodox Jewish men and women who wish to arrive already separated by gender for large events like weddings. The plan would have used taxpayer money to impose segregation in public spaces, raising questions about the separation of church and state. Proponents argue that this is simply a matter of accommodating conservative lifestyles, but opponents see it as a slippery slope towards greater gender segregation.

Last Thursday, the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, approved a law allowing universities to offer segregated master’s and doctoral degree programs on a voluntary basis. Supporters claim that this will help integrate more Orthodox students into higher education and provide opportunities for conservative women who might not have continued their studies otherwise. However, local universities protested the law, arguing that it could undermine academic standards in fields like medicine and health.

These developments are not isolated incidents. Israeli demographics have been shifting in favor of the more conservative Jewish groups in the country for some time. Orthodox Jewish families have a higher birth rate than non-Orthodox ones, putting pressure on the government to accommodate their needs. While Israel guarantees equality for citizens regardless of sex, the country’s founders also promised to observe certain important religious rules that more conservative Jewish communities prioritize.

The Supreme Court has previously ruled against mandatory segregation on public buses and in other areas, but these new developments suggest a continued push towards greater separation between men and women. Opponents of gender segregation in Bnei Brak are hoping the Supreme Court will rule on this case too and have filed an urgent appeal.

This issue is not unique to Israel – it’s also about what this means for Western democracies more broadly. As we see the rise of populist and nationalist movements around the world, it’s tempting to view these developments as isolated incidents. However, they represent a growing trend towards greater social conservatism, where traditional values are pitted against individual freedoms.

The Knesset has been dissolved ahead of new elections on October 27 this year, which will likely see even more divisive debates over the nature of Israeli society. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ruling right-wing coalition has already pushed through several laws that critics say undermine democratic norms and give the government greater influence over media and other institutions.

As we watch these developments unfold, it’s worth remembering that the fight for equality is never truly won – it must be constantly defended. In Israel, as elsewhere, this means pushing back against attempts to impose segregation by stealth, and standing up for individual freedoms in the face of social conservatism. The future of Israeli society hangs in the balance – will we see a further erosion of democratic norms, or a renewed commitment to equality and justice?