Ultra-Orthodox Sectarianism Fuels Growing Divide in Israel
Tensions are escalating between Israel's ultra-Orthodox community and the general public, exacerbated by the ongoing election campaigns. A significant point of contention is the ultra-Orthodox refusal to participate in national security and economic burdens. Another major issue is the persistent effort by some within the community to impose their beliefs and customs on the wider society, particularly concerning the exclusion of women.
Recent events highlight this trend, including renewed efforts by the ultra-Orthodox, with support from the ruling coalition, to promote gender segregation in academia. A stark example occurred during the Prime Minister's visit to a military base, where female soldiers serving there were reportedly forced to hide for hours to avoid being seen by soldiers from the ultra-Orthodox Netzah Yehuda battalion. In Bnei Brak, signs have appeared advocating for separate sidewalks for men and women, following previous demands for women to sit only in the back rows of buses.
The article contrasts this with past norms, where mixed seating at cultural events was common even in religious circles. Today, some ultra-Orthodox events feature separate entrances and seating. The exclusion of women from a conference on female fertility has been cited as an extreme example. This trend, once confined to the most extreme Ashkenazi ultra-Orthodox factions, has now reportedly spread to the spiritual and political leaders of the Sephardic community, a group historically known for its openness.
The author questions the religious basis for this obsessive fear of proximity between men and women, citing biblical and Talmudic figures and narratives that depict women as active and respected participants. The article suggests a deeper, unacknowledged motive: in some ultra-Orthodox cities, women are the primary breadwinners while men dedicate themselves to Talmudic studies. This dynamic may lead some men to feel a need to assert their centrality by marginalizing women.
The article criticizes the ultra-Orthodox educational system for failing to instill resilience against perceived temptations, despite its emphasis on discipline. It argues that terms like 'gender separation' are euphemisms for establishing women's inferior status and preventing their advancement in public life and the judiciary. The author urges the public to resist the encroachment of these misogynistic attitudes into broader Israeli society.
