PM orders firm hand against women's exclusion

Netanyahu asks internal security minister to instruct police to act against violent attacks targeting women in public sphere. 'We shall not let radical groups hurt women's rights,' he declares

Attila Somfalvi|Published: 12.24.11 , 20:35

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked Internal Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch on Saturday to instruct the police to act firmly against violent attacks targeting women in the public sphere.

Netanyahu also asked Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein to see to it that laws pertaining to women's exclusion are being upheld in local authorities. "We shall not let radical groups hurt women's rights in the public sphere, which must remain open and safe for all," Netanyahu said.

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Hundreds of women gathered in Tel Aviv on Friday to protest the demand by some religious elements to exclude women from public life in Israel.

פוליטיקאיות מאוחדות. לבני, יחימוביץ', לבנת וגמליאל (צילום: מוטי קמחי)

A fight the crosses political boundaries (Photo: Moti Kimchi)

Among those attending the gathering were Opposition Chairwoman Tzipi Livni (Kadima), Labor Chairwoman Shelly Yachimovich and Culture and Sports Minister Limor Livnat, as well as dozens of prominent businesswomen, journalists and members of the academia.

The fight against women's exclusion is a fight for Israel's future and it must grow stronger and louder," Livni said. "The situation is deteriorating rapidly and it's up to us to stop it."

Adina Bar Shalom, daughter of Shas' spiritual leader Rabbi Ovadia Yosef also participated in the gathering: "The Torah never referenced this issue as it is referenced today," she said.

"The Torah elevates women. It holds women in the highest esteem… This isn’t about which door we board the bus from. It's about women's honor. Women are powerful, if is wasn’t for us, men couldn’t afford to study the Torah."