Israeli parliament passes law enshrining gender segregation in universities

Israel's parliament, the Knesset, approved a law on Thursday allowing gender segregation in higher education.

The bill passed by 52 votes to 43 and permits universities to offer separate study tracks for men and women in master's and doctoral programmes.

It also enshrines a 2021 High Court of Justice ruling that allowed gender-segregated bachelor's degree programmes, subject to certain restrictions.

The legislation was sponsored by Limor Son Har-Melech, an MP from Itamar Ben Gvir's Otzma Yehudit party.

She said the law would "advance women from sectors that have not received the opportunities they deserve".

Supporters argue the measure will expand access to higher education for religious women. Zvi Sukkot, an MP from Bezalel Smotrich's Religious Zionism party, said it would "expand freedom of choice".

Opposition lawmakers condemned the legislation, with some holding up signs reading: "Segregation is exclusion" during the vote.

Yisrael Beiteinu leader Avigdor Lieberman accused the government of trying to turn Israel into "an Ayatollah state".

"This law adds to what is already happening in Bnei Brak – segregation between women and men on sidewalks," he said.

"I call on the heads of universities and academic institutions not to comply with this madness."

Opposition Labor MP Merav Michaeli also criticised the law, saying: "There is no such thing as segregated but equal. Certainly not in a government that acts against equality in every way."