Israeli Aparthied

From Democracy Now

Meet the New Boss Same As The Old Boss

Israeli Woman Draws Rosa Parks Link After Refusing to Give Up Bus Seat to Ultra-Orthodox Jewish Man

A Israeli woman is being compared to U.S. civil rights activist Rosa Parks after refusing to bow to ultra-Orthodox Jewish customs and relinquish her seat on a public bus to a man. Tanya Rosenblit took a Jerusalem-bound bus from her native Ashdod recently when an ultra-Orthodox Jewish man demanded she move to the back of the bus. In ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities, mingling between sexes is forbidden, and women are relegated to the back of buses when men are present.

Rosenblit refused the order, which led to an argument. The bus driver then pulled the bus over, and the police were called, but Rosenblit maintained her position. The bus carried on to its final destination.

The act of defiance has sparked a national discussion in Israel on the issue of gender segregation. On Monday, the disagreement turned violent when ultra-Orthodox Jews in the Israeli town of Beit Shemesh clashed with police. Hundreds of men in the ultra-Orthodox community took part in the unrest. Members of local news crews were reportedly hurt in the clashes, and at least six Beit Shemesh residents were arrested.

An estimated 10,000 people are expected to turn out in the community today to protest the exclusion of women, as well as violence against girls and women by Haredi extremists.

From: Phyllis Chesler
Sent: Wednesday, December 28, 2011 11:30 AM
To: Greenconsciousness
Subject: RE: ISRAELI APARTHIED
 

Isn’t this a bit old? If I am wrong, what is the date on this? This is gender apartheid within Judaism as practiced by the ultra-orthodox maniacs.

I am opposed to it.

It is still not the same as Islamic gender apartheid.

Still, I am strongly opposed to it.

To: Phyllis Chesler
Subject: RE: ISRAELI APARTHIED

From Greenconsciousness 

It was under Headlines Dec 27, 2011, here

http://www.democracynow.org/2011/12/27/headlines#15

It is the second from the bottom.

Of course we are opposed and it is a disgrace to Israel to have religious laws interfere with equal gender treatment and women’s freedom.  Let the patriarchs buy their own bus line – as I understand it they don’t have to serve in the army either – bunch of patriarchal parasites – you should write in Israeli newspapers about this and tell them they lose female friends here when they look just like the Moslems.

From: Phyllis Chesler
Sent: Wednesday, December 28, 2011 12:44 PM
To: Greenconsciousness
Subject: RE: ISRAELI APARTHIED

Still, they are a very small cult-sect and the chief rabbis have publicly opposed them and the signs to separate women and men on the streets were taken down by the police and the mayor supported this, etc.