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On the Legal Front

On the Legal Front

Recently we received a reminder of how important it is to not merely be able to petition the court in order to correct wrongs, but also to monitor implementation of court rulings and of the actual change in policy. That takes time, perseverance, and patience - a requisite for legal advocacy which by its nature is ongoing and can stretch out over a long period of time.


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Hiddush fighting for female appointees on religious councils

Hiddush fighting for female appointees on religious councils

For many years, Hiddush has led the legal battle for women’s representation on Israel’s Religious Councils. Yesterday, we appeared before the Supreme Court in a hearing regarding the petition we filed on our behalf and on behalf of Israel’s leading women's organizations [Israel Women's Network, Naamat, Rackman Center for the Advancement of Women, and Itach - Women Lawyers for Social Justice], challenging the State’s non-compliance with the obligation to appoint women for the role of “Appointees”.

Landmark Supreme Court Religion-State Rulings

Landmark Supreme Court Religion-State Rulings

This week, the Supreme Court handed down two landmark rulings on cases in the arena of religion and state, which have been pending for years. Once announced, they generated the expected outpouring of reactions.

Joint statement protesting desecration of siddurim at the Kotel

Joint statement protesting desecration of siddurim at the Kotel

Dozens of ultra-Orthodox extremists harassed Women of the Wall worshipers at their monthly service at the Western Wall on Friday, June 11, 2021. Following this hateful incident, JPLAN (the Jewish Pluralism Legal Action Network), and RUACH HIDDUSH (Rabbis and Cantors for Religious Freedom and Equality in Israel) called for charges to be brought against those responsible.

Hiddush in the legal trenches

Hiddush in the legal trenches

Last week, Hiddush filed a petition in the Supreme Court on behalf of itself; the Israel Women’s Network; NA’AMAT; the Rackman Center; and Women Lawyers for Social Justice to ensure adequate gender representation for women on Religious Councils and senior oversight appointments.

Equal status of women a central and important value in the Israeli experience

Equal status of women a central and important value in the Israeli experience

The last few days have provided us with a striking example of Israel's volatile religion/state terrain, which has consumed considerable media attention: The fight that led to the cancellation of a fundraising concert for Rabbi Avraham Elimelech Firer's NGO Ezra LeMarpeh.

Female soldiers excluded from Israel's honor guards

Female soldiers excluded from Israel's honor guards

Hiddush appealed to Defense Minister Lieberman, Chief of Staff Eizenkot and Chair of the Ministerial Committee for Ceremonies and Symbols - Culture Minister Regev, demanding that female soldiers be fully included in official state ceremonies, including the ceremonies for Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) and Yom HaZikaron (Israeli Memorial Day).

Hiddush Survey for International Women's Day

Hiddush Survey for International Women's Day

72% of the Israeli public believes that all political parties running for seats in the Knesset, including the ultra-Orthodox parties, should be required to include female candidates on their party candidates lists and allow women to become party members. 88% favor integrating women into the IDF [69% support the inclusion of women in every possible role, including in combat, and another 19% support their integration into all non-combat roles]. 12% oppose enlisting women into the army at all.

Does Shas leader Aryeh Deri promote religious freedom?

Does Shas leader Aryeh Deri promote religious freedom?

This week Shas leader and Interior Minister Rabbi Aryeh Deri turned to Israel's Attorney General, demanding that the mandatory guidelines regarding the exclusion of women in the public sphere be suspended and reconsidered.

Study finds that religious women in IDF report increased religious convictions

Study finds that religious women in IDF report increased religious convictions

A new Israeli study found that young women who served in the IDF reported an increase in their level of religious convictions, more so than those who served in National Service. 89% said that their religious levels were not harmed or even improved during their IDF service.

75% Israelis support coed service in the IDF

75% Israelis support coed service in the IDF

According to a Hiddush survey, the overwhelming majority of the Israeli Jewish public supports coed military service, including most of the voters for the Government Coalition parties.

Israel's exclusion of women and lack of civil burial alternative

Israel's exclusion of women and lack of civil burial alternative

This week Hiddush initiated stern communications to the authorities over two critical issues: 1) the gross breach of responsibility of the Ministry of Religious Services to provide an option for alternative civil burial, and 2) the exclusion of women from a medical conference about women’s health.

80% of Israel's religious councils have only one woman

80% of Israel's religious councils have only one woman

Only 70 women currently serve nationwide (on 58 of Israel's religious councils). They represent 17% of the total 407 religious council members throughout Israel.

Leading Ashkenazi Rabbi rules: Women should not be allowed to drive

Leading Ashkenazi Rabbi rules: Women should not be allowed to drive

Often we are reminded of the outlook at the core of the ultra-Orthodox political parties' actions. While they may appear to share our respect for a democratic society oriented toward civil liberties, the truth is that their motivations are anything but.

69% of Jewish Israelis support women's candle lighting ceremonies at Kotel

69% of Jewish Israelis support women's candle lighting ceremonies at Kotel

69% of Jewish Israelis favor allowing women to light Chanukah candles at the Western Wall. This principled position also enjoys a high level of support among voters for the non-Haredi Coalition parties.

‘Tzviut’ – not ‘tzniut’! (Hypocrisy, not modesty)

‘Tzviut’ – not ‘tzniut’! (Hypocrisy, not modesty)

The first business conference organized by the ultra-Orthodox newspaper Hamodia, Agudat Israel’s organ, took place last week. So who was not invited? Not a single woman – neither as a speaker nor as an attendee.

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