On Tuesday December 24, 2011, approximately 10,000 people, religious and non-religious, gathered in Beit Shemesh for a demonstration protesting the growing demand by radical religious elements (extremists) to exclude women from public life in Israel.
The rally featured several female speakers who were victims of Haredi violence, in addition to the Opposition Chairwoman Tzipi Livni, Labor Chairwoman Shelly Yacimovich and Culture and Sports Minister Limor Livnat. NA’AMAT women were among the protesters holding banners reading:”Free Israel from religious coercion”, “Stop Israel from becoming Iran”, “Segregation is a red line”, and “No more discrimination against women!”
Public outcry against the radical demand to exclude women from public events and for segregation between the sexes on busses, sidewalks and even in lines in the supermarket, became especially strident over the weekened when a seven-years-old girl was spat on in a Beit Shemesh street by Haredi man who claimed she was not dressed “modestly enough.”
Adv. Talia Livni, President NA’AMAT stated that “the atrocity of women’s exclusion is a crime and endangers the “delicate texture” of the Israeli society. The current situation is intolerable and NA’AMAT will fight against all discrimination against women”.
NA’AMAT made stickers reading “Enough to Women Segregation”.
In addition, I am enclosing the following documents:
1) A letter that was sent by Adv. Talia Livni, President NA’AMAT to the members of the “Ministers’ Committee on the Status of Women” who did not attend the meeting on the matter of exclusion of women. MinisterLetter
2) A letter sent to the President of the Technion in Haifa, Prof. Peretz Lavie, regarding the attempts to exclude women, and that women have been asked to avoid coming to the Technion Fitness Center during certain times of day. TechnionLetter
3) A resolution of the Central Committee of NA’AMAT. naamat.resolution.122711
In upcoming weeks, more steps are planned together with other social organizations, intended to fight this dangerous phenomena. For example, Next Sunday NA’AMAT will lead an initiative; groups of NA’AMAT members will ride buses which serve both secular and religious population, in different areas in Israel.
I will update you on further developments.
Sincerely,
Shirli Shavit
Director
NA’AMAT International Dep’t.
Israel
Tel. 972 3 6921905
shirlisha@naamat.org.il
IN THE NEWS:
http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/beit-shemesh-rally-attracts-thousands-to-protest-extremism-1.403981
http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?ID=251058&R=R1
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2011/12/28/israel-beit-shemesh-protests-ultra-orthodox-jews_n_1173232.html
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4167668,00.html
