Israeli Interior Ministry Blocks Female Majorities on Local Authority Boards Citing Gender Representation Rules

The Israeli Interior Ministry has refused to approve senior female managers and public representatives to serve on local authority corporate boards because their inclusion would create a female majority. This was reported on Monday by Kan News on Reshet Bet. Although the principle of equal representation aims to prevent women from being excluded from public company leadership, such cases of exclusion still occur. For example, in the Gezer Regional Council, a female treasurer was replaced by a male; in Rehovot, an attempt to appoint a female CEO to a municipal corporation board failed; and in South Sharon, a public female representative’s appointment was blocked.

The heads of these local authorities, Rotem Yedlin of Gezer, Matan Dill of Rehovot, and Oshrat Gani Gonen of South Sharon, have appealed to the Interior Ministry and the State Attorney’s Office to ensure that women’s success does not become a barrier to their appointments. The State Attorney’s Office confirmed the appeal has been received and will be addressed. The Interior Ministry stated that under the Municipalities Ordinance, the committee reviewing appointments must consider appropriate gender representation among non-elected representatives.

Israel Ozen, Director General of the Interior Ministry, instructed professional staff to examine the issue and current policies, including whether amendments are needed. The women’s rights organization Bonot Alternativa criticized the ministry, saying it is turning the equality and fair representation mechanism, intended to correct discrimination and bring women into decision-making rooms, into a tool that excludes them. This controversy highlights ongoing challenges in achieving gender equality in Israeli public institutions.