✍| By Mohammad Mohsen Faezi
Let’s start with a statement that might seem unimaginable:
“According to a report published by the Israel Democracy Institute at the beginning of 2023, global statistics show that gender wage equality in the occupied territories is at a disastrous level, ranking 105th globally. In terms of women’s participation in managerial positions, Israel is among the lowest-ranked developed and developing countries, standing at 66th place.
In this article, we will review the situation of women in the occupied territories.
The fertility rate in the occupied territories is 2.9, but it varies among different groups:
- Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) women: 6.6
- Arab Israeli women: 3.1
- Secular Jewish women: 2.2
In general, two issues regarding women in Israel have always been controversial and challenging:
- Women’s military service
- Women’s participation in politics
Women in Israeli Politics
Israeli women have a weak presence in politics. Since Golda Meir’s tenure as Prime Minister (1969–1974), no woman has held this position. Among OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) member countries, Israel holds the longest record of not having a female head of government.
The Knesset (Israeli parliament) is the main political institution in the occupied territories and the only significant electoral body. Municipal elections are also held, but they carry less weight. The electoral lists in the Knesset, chosen through direct voting by Zionists, determine the Prime Minister.
In the latest Knesset elections in 2022, 29 out of 120 seats went to women, which is about 25%. At the time of Israel’s establishment, female representation was less than 10%. In the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, this number did not increase—in fact, it declined to 7–11 seats (below 10%). However, since 2000, influenced by global trends, the number of women in the Knesset gradually increased, reaching 29 seats in 2015.
It is also important to note that while 29 women were directly elected in 2022, due to a law allowing ministers to resign from the Knesset and be replaced by members from their party list, the actual number of women in parliament has now reached 35.
Military Service for Women in Israel
Israel is among the 10 countries in the world where military service for women is mandatory, alongside nations such as Cape Verde, Eritrea, Sweden, the UAE, Norway, Chad, Georgia, China, and North Korea. However, Israel has the longest compulsory military service for women, lasting 24 months. Many Israeli women attempt to obtain exemptions from military service for reasons such as marriage, pregnancy, religious beliefs (Haredi), or health conditions.
In 2021, 45% of women managed to avoid military service using such exemptions, indicating a lack of willingness among women to serve. Concerns over sexual harassment and abuse in the Israeli military, as well as the increasing deployment of women in combat units, have contributed to this reluctance.
Before 2000, female soldiers were not required to serve in combat units. However, since then, the number of women in combat roles has increased significantly, rising from 3% in 2015 to 8% in 2019. Additionally, in 2020, the Israeli military announced that 92% of its units were open to women.
Women in Israel: Between Traditional and Liberal Forces
The status of women in Israeli society is heavily influenced by the diverse Jewish communities, ranging from ultra-Orthodox and conservative groups to feminist and liberal activists.
These conflicting ideologies make gender issues a major and widely debated topic. This debate becomes even more intense when compared to the Islamic and Palestinian perspective on women’s roles.
This contrast was highlighted by an Israeli woman who was released from captivity. In an interview, she stated:
“Hamas fighters allowed us to use the radio and television, we read newspapers, and after October 7, we even celebrated Hanukkah and went to the beach! For them, women are sacred. Over there, a woman is treated like a queen!”
From: Irannewspaper