ISRAEL
The Jerusalem Labour Court has ruled that a men-only course for cadets in the Israeli Public Service cannot continue unless it admits at least 10 women.
The course is designed specifically to integrate ultra-orthodox men into the Public Service.
It was made gender separate to ensure the participation of the men, known as Haredi, who would object to studying with women.
A separate course for Haredi women was scheduled to start in October and applications have already been received.
The Israel Women’s Network (IWN) filed a petition against the course, claiming that gender separation was inherently discriminatory and prohibited by Israeli employment law.
Judge Rachel Barag-Hirshberg issued a ruling in favour of the IWN petition, giving the Government the option of adding at least 10 women to the course, in which 20 Haredi men are currently participating, or freezing the course entirely.
Judge Barag-Hirshberg said the Civil Service Commission had elected to make the course for the Haredi sector gender separate without any evidentiary basis or examination of alternatives.
“In evaluating the gender of a candidate as a criteria for being accepted for employment, the state injured the basic right of women to equality and, in so doing, equal employment opportunities,” Judge Barag-Hirschberg said.
Director of the IWN, Michal Gera Margaliot said the court had delivered a clear message that gender separation in the Public Service was prohibited.
“You cannot take us backwards by decades, and acceptance for employment cannot be done according to gender,” Ms Margaliot said.
However, Haredi feminist activist Racheli Ibenboim (pictured) said she was saddened by the decision, and called the petition “stupid”, describing the Civil Service Commission program as being an extremely positive development for Haredi society.
“Today I am angry, really angry towards those fighters for equality because they are willing to lose the future of us all, because they are closing their eyes to the necessity of the process,” Ms Ibenboim said.
Jerusalem, 10 April 2018
