Israeli Parliament Approves Expansion of Gender Segregation in Higher Education

The Israeli Knesset approved a controversial law allowing higher education institutions to offer separate study tracks for men and women at the master's and doctoral levels. The bill, proposed by MK Limor Son Har-Melech of Otzma Yehudit, passed in a second and third reading with 52 votes in favor and 43 against. The legislation expands on existing guidelines from the Council for Higher Education, which previously permitted gender-segregated tracks mainly at the undergraduate level under certain restrictions.

Under the new law, gender segregation is permitted within classrooms but not across entire campuses or public spaces. Institutions are not obligated to create separate tracks but may do so at their discretion and based on demand, particularly to accommodate religious or lifestyle considerations. The bill aims to enable religious and ultra-Orthodox men and women to pursue advanced degrees without compromising their beliefs.

Supporters hailed the law as a "true freedom of choice" and a correction of past injustices that prevented many religious students from accessing graduate education, which is often necessary for professional advancement and government positions. The Knesset's caucus for religious and ultra-Orthodox women called the law a "historic day" and a victory for women's advancement in academia and the workforce.

Opposition members strongly criticized the legislation, describing it as exclusionary and a threat to democratic values. MK Shelly Tal Miron (Yahad) called it "not separation but exclusion" and promised to repeal it under the next government. MK Merav Michaeli condemned the law as undermining gender equality, while MK Adi Azuz accused the government of unprecedented misogyny. During the vote, opposition lawmakers protested with signs stating "Separation is exclusion."

The law will take effect after its publication in the official gazette, allowing institutions to establish separate graduate tracks for men and women under the specified conditions.