On December 10, a session was held in the Committee for the Advancement of Women Status, on a bill to expand the powers of religious courts, at which Adv. Tal Hilel, the Institute’s policy advocate, spoke on behalf of the Zulat Institute.
In her remarks, Adv. Hilel explained Zulat’s opposition to the bill, which seeks to allow religious courts to adjudicate arbitration proceedings also in civil matters. She argued that this is a measure that expands the legal system operating under discriminatory religious law, lacking transparency and lacking female representation, and that it harms women and vulnerable populations in particular. She also noted that women have always had to fight for their rights against the demands of ultra-Orthodox leadership.
She further emphasized that even though the proposal is presented as voluntary, in practice it is expected to create social and legal pressure that will lead women to ‘agree’ to a process that does not protect their rights, as part of a broader move to reduce civil courts and strengthen rabbinical courts.
