Israel's Political Representation of Women Plummets to 31st in OECD
Translated & summarized from N12 by baba
Israel's representation of women in politics has declined to 31st among OECD countries, with a bleak outlook for the upcoming Knesset elections in October 2026. Attorney Anat Tahon Ashkenazi highlights this regression from the early Zionist movement's progressive stance on women's rights. Key challenges include the exclusion of women by ultra-Orthodox parties and quotas becoming a "glass ceiling" rather than a stepping stone. Projections indicate stagnant female representation, with significant disparities between parties, underscoring the need for legislative and educational reforms to ensure future progress.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Israel ranks 31st out of 38 OECD countries for female political representation.
- Early Zionism, led by Herzl, championed women's suffrage, a progressive stance for its time.
- Ultra-Orthodox parties continue to exclude women from political representation.
- Party quotas, once a boost, have become a "glass ceiling" for women's advancement.
- Upcoming 2026 elections project stagnant female representation in the Knesset.
- Legal and educational reforms are needed to improve women's political standing.
Israel has fallen to 31st place among OECD nations for female representation in politics, with projections indicating a worsening situation in the upcoming Knesset. Attorney Anat Tahon Ashkenazi analyzes this decline, tracing it from the early Zionist movement's progressive stance on women's rights, championed by Theodor Herzl, through the struggles of the 20th century and the impact of ultra-Orthodox parties today.
In 2026, the reality starkly contrasts with Herzl's vision of full equality for women, a concept he introduced at the Second Zionist Congress in 1898, when only New Zealand had granted women suffrage. While early Zionist pioneers like Hana Meisel fought for women's inclusion in physical labor and public life, political institutions in Mandatory Palestine initially retreated from the Basel Congress's decision, denying women the right to vote. Women engaged in grassroots activism to secure these rights, achieving a significant early victory when Nehama Pukhtchevsky was elected to a public institution in 1919, though she later withdrew due to societal pressure.
The struggle for equal rights continued, culminating in women's full participation in the 1925 elections for the second Assembly of Representatives, though ultra-Orthodox factions abstained. Formal equality was enshrined in Israel's 1948 Declaration of Independence, signed by only two women. However, disparities persisted, particularly in areas governed by religious courts. A global milestone was reached in 1969 when Golda Meir became Israel's third female Prime Minister, though she did not identify as a feminist leader.
The 1990s saw significant advancements with the introduction of primaries and quotas in major parties like Labor, Likud, and Meretz, aiming for at least 25% female representation. However, Anat Tahon Ashkenazi notes that these quotas, initially a stepping stone, have become a "glass ceiling," limiting further progress. The rise of ultra-Orthodox parties, which explicitly bar women from their slates, presents a major obstacle. Despite legal challenges, these parties maintain their stance, significantly impacting overall female representation, especially given their growing influence in coalition governments.
Research for the upcoming October 2026 elections forecasts a stagnant representation of 30-31 women in the Knesset, with no major party led by a woman. Projections show stark differences between parties: the Democrats are expected to have nearly 50% female representation, while Likud, Religious Zionism, and Ra'am are projected to have significantly lower percentages, and the ultra-Orthodox parties will have none. Tahon Ashkenazi emphasizes the need for constitutional enshrinement of equality and educational efforts to ensure future generations can envision female leadership, stressing the importance of not regressing from past achievements.
Mentioned
