Women's Representation in Israeli Politics Stagnates Below Global Averages

Women constitute only about a quarter of the Israeli Knesset, a proportion that has not significantly increased since 2015. In the current 37th government, only six female ministers served, with no woman holding the critical portfolios of defense or finance. The 25th Knesset, elected in 2022, saw 29 women, or 24.2% of its members. While the upcoming Knesset is expected to see a slight increase in female representation due to higher numbers on opposition party lists, the coalition parties lag significantly. Notably, the ultra-Orthodox parties Shas and United Torah Judaism do not nominate any female candidates as a stated policy. Israel ranks below the average for developed nations in parliamentary female representation.

Historically, female representation in the Knesset grew steadily until 2013, after which it plateaued around 25%. The current Knesset has 31 women (25.8%), a slight increase from the 29 elected due to the Norwegian Law, which allows lawmakers to resign their seats to accept ministerial positions, with replacements filling their spots. The number of women in the Knesset has roughly tripled since the 1990s, but the recent stagnation is a concern.

Globally, women comprise 27.5% of parliamentarians, with many developed countries like Canada, the US, Germany, and the UK showing higher percentages. Furthermore, women are underrepresented in key government roles. In Israel's 37th government, out of 38 ministers, only six were women, and none held top economic or security positions. No woman has ever served as Israel's defense or finance minister, and only one, Golda Meir, has been prime minister. The narrow security cabinet includes only two women out of eleven members, and the war cabinet formed during the recent conflict had no women.

Looking ahead, projections for the next Knesset suggest a potential increase to 32 women (26.7%), largely driven by opposition parties. However, their actual influence will depend on who forms the next government. If the current coalition remains in power, women's presence will be concentrated in the Knesset rather than in decision-making roles, as coalition parties have very few women in top list positions. The absence of women from the lists of Shas and United Torah Judaism is a deliberate policy, with party spokesmen stating that a religious woman's role is not in the Knesset. Other parties employ various methods for candidate selection, including primaries, reserved spots, and alternating gender placements, with party leaders often having significant influence.