MK Limor Son Har-Melech Defends Gender-Segregated Graduate Studies Law as Empowering Religious Women

MK Limor Son Har-Melech of the Otzma Yehudit party responded to criticism of the new law permitting gender-segregated study tracks in master's and doctoral programs. She emphasized that the law aims to remove barriers for religious and ultra-Orthodox men and women to advance academically and professionally. Son Har-Melech stated, "We succeeded in passing this important amendment for separation in advanced academic studies. This law corrects world orders." She noted the legislation followed hundreds of requests from religious and ultra-Orthodox women highlighting obstacles specifically in graduate education.

Addressing concerns that the law might harm academic quality or public health, she dismissed these claims as unfounded, citing the success of gender-segregated undergraduate programs. She also rejected petitions filed to the Supreme Court against the law, asserting that the court is not a legislative body and that lawmakers must respond to public needs. Regarding opposition from academic institutions, she clarified that universities and the Council for Higher Education are not obligated to implement the new study tracks, leaving the decision to each institution's discretion.

Son Har-Melech expressed confusion over the resistance to the law, questioning why it matters if a small class of twenty religious or ultra-Orthodox women studies separately. Reflecting on the law's passage, she said, "I was honored to preside over the Knesset session and declare that the law has been added to Israel's legal code."