Israeli administration orders removal of 'men's only' sign from local religious court's bomb shelter
Israel's national Rabbinical Courts Administration has ordered the local religious court in Ashdod, a city less than 20 miles away from the border with the Gaza Strip, to remove signs designating its secure bomb shelter as being for men only.
The separate area designated for women was among the regular courtrooms, and did not appear to provide extra security or protection.
The national administration said that this example of gender separation was not actually implemented in practice, "nor will it be implemented when [it comes to] entering bomb shelters." The administration also said that the signs were put up by an employee who acted without the knowledge of management, The Times of Israel reports, and that disciplinary action will be taken against those responsible.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The issue was first brought to the administration's attention by a female member of the Israeli Knesset, Stav Shaffir of the Labor Party, after she was told about it by one of her office volunteers who had visited the building. The administration then acted quickly to order the sign to be taken down.
The separation of the sexes in Israel, as pushed for by its ultra-orthodox Jewish sector (commonly known as the Haredim) has become a divisive issue in the country's cultural and political life. Shaffir said of this story: "Discrimination against women is improper in all cases, but when it prevents them from protecting themselves, it is more than just improper, it's also dangerous."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Magazine interactive crossword - May 3, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - May 3, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
Magazine solutions - May 3, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - May 3, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
Magazine printables - May 3, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - May 3, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
Puffed rice and yoga: inside the collapsed tunnel where Indian workers await rescue
Speed Read Workers trapped in collapsed tunnel are suffering from dysentery and anxiety over their rescue
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
More than 2,000 dead following massive earthquake in Morocco
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mexico's next president will almost certainly be its 1st female president
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
North Korea's Kim to visit Putin in eastern Russia to discuss arms sales for Ukraine war, U.S. says
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Gabon's military leader sworn in following coup in latest African uprising
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published