This document presents an in-depth review of the violations of women’s rights in Israel as a result of the policies of the 37th Israeli government. As part of its regime revolution, the government is advancing legislative changes that weaken the protection of women’s rights and undermine their status in various areas. The review focuses on six of these areas:

1. Harm to Democratic Institutions and Their Independence
The weakening of the judicial system and oversight bodies deprives women of the vital protections provided by the courts in the struggle for equality. Legislative changes restricting the independence of the judiciary are expected to significantly reduce the ability to safeguard women’s rights in such areas as employment, protection from violence, political representation, and family rights. The government is also attempting to undermine other oversight and accountability mechanisms, by restricting civil society organizations and harming the free press. All of these actions risk undermining equality, infringing on the rights of minorities and underrepresented groups, and enabling the abuse of power.

2.  Reduced Representation of Women in the Political and Public Spheres
There has been a sharp decline in the number of women serving as MKs, ministers, and directors-general in government ministries. The current Knesset includes fewer women, while the representation of Arab women in local politics remains virtually unchanged, at a very low rate of just 2%. In addition, the government is not promoting initiatives to encourage women’s representation, at a time when Haredi parties continue to prevent women from running within their ranks.

3.  Gender Segregation and Exclusion of Women
The government is promoting legislation to expand gender segregation amid efforts to shift public perceptions on the issue. For example, the proposed law on gender segregation in academia would prevent women from teaching in certain tracks, leading to further exclusion in the workplace and other areas. Other attempts to advance segregation, which have been halted for now, included proposals to legalize gender separation at public events and in nature reserves.

4.  Decline in Women’s Personal Security
     * Gun licensing policy: Since the events of October 7, the government has significantly expanded the criteria for obtaining firearms, increasing the risk of domestic violence and femicide. Data indicates a rise in the murder of women, particularly in the Arab community, where the government has refrained from taking effective action to combat crime and is even reducing budget allocations to Arab municipalities.
     * Policy on combating domestic violence: Israel has refrained from joining the Istanbul Convention on combating violence against women, in line with the coalition agreement signed with the Religious Zionism Party. The Electronic Monitoring Law was ultimately approved but subjected to a low annual quota, with the public discourse surrounding it shifting focus to so-called “false accusations” by women, thus undermining public trust in the system’s handling of violence cases.

5.  Boosting of the Religious Establishment
     * Expansion of religious courts’ authority: The government is advancing legislation that would allow rabbinical courts to rule on civil disputes, thereby strengthening a religious system that discriminates against women. These courts operate according to unequal laws, and the move is expected to disproportionately harm women in matters of divorce, employment, and property rights.
     * Unlimited appointment of rabbis: An amendment to the Religious Services Law allows for the unlimited appointment of rabbis at the discretion of the Minister of Religious Services, with a clear preference for men in public religious positions.

6.  Shift to an Anti-Liberal Public Discourse
The government is promoting a conservative discourse that challenges such liberal values as gender equality. Initiatives like the Knesset’s Caucus for the Haredi and Religious Woman emphasize “family values,” “modesty,” and “childbirth” instead of equality and protection from exploitation. Another example is the focus on “nationalistic sex crimes” rather than on protecting all women from sexual violence.

In light of these trends, Zulat is proposing a bill aimed at integrating gender mainstreaming into Israel’s legislative processes. The main points of the proposal are:

• Amending the Gender Impact Assessment clause in the Women’s Equal Rights Law so that all legislation will be required to assess the impact on gender equality.
• Turning the Authority for the Advancement of the Status of Women into an independent body with broad powers to monitor and research gender inequality.
• Providing training for lawmakers on the protection of gender equality and the use of gender impact assessments in the legislative process.

The 37th Israeli government is leading dramatic changes that adversely affect the status of women in many areas: diminished independence of the judiciary, a decline in women’s political representation, legislation that encourages the exclusion of women, expanded powers of the religious courts, and the proliferation of firearms that jeopardize women’s personal security. The shift in the public discourse to promote anti-liberal values strengthens these trends.

To fight these changes, there is an urgent need to advance legislation that protects women’s rights, as proposed by Zulat. Only by strengthening democracy, preventing institutionalized discrimination, and safeguarding gender equality will it be possible to prevent a rollback of the rights women have fought for over decades.