The Knesset plenum gave final approval to a bill proposed by MK Limor Son Har-Melech (Jewish Power) to allow gender segregation in advanced academic degrees. 52 members of Knesset supported the proposal, while 43 opposed it. The explanatory notes to the bill state: “Currently, the Council for Higher Education permits higher education institutions to operate gender-segregated study tracks only for bachelor’s degrees, subject to additional conditions and restrictions according to the framework it has established. It is proposed to clarify in legislation that the provision stipulating that the existence of separate study tracks for men and women for religious reasons shall not be considered discrimination also applies to study tracks for master’s degrees and doctoral degrees. This is to enable those who, due to their religious beliefs, are prevented from participating in mixed academic studies to pursue advanced degrees in a broader range of fields.”
