Israeli parliament committee backs gender-separated university programmes for postgraduate studies

Israel’s education committee has approved a controversial bill in its second and third readings that would allow universities to offer separate educational tracks for men and women at postgraduate level. The legislation, proposed by MP Limor Son Har Melech, is intended to create pathways for women from communities who have previously lacked access to higher education opportunities. Son Har Melech stated that the law would advance women from sectors that have historically been denied appropriate advancement in academia.

The bill has faced significant opposition from both parliamentary critics and the academic community. Opponents warn that gender-separated programmes would undermine principles of equality in higher education and potentially damage the quality of both teaching and research at Israeli universities. The controversy highlights broader debates within Israeli society about balancing religious and cultural considerations with secular academic standards.

The measure now moves towards final parliamentary votes. If passed, it would represent a notable shift in Israeli higher education policy, allowing institutions to create gender-segregated postgraduate programmes, a practice that remains uncommon in most Western universities. The outcome will likely depend on whether the government coalition prioritises the concerns of communities requesting such arrangements or heeds academic warnings about potential institutional harm.

Source: Walla News — Original article in Hebrew.