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Did You Know?Women in Israel

In continuing its commitment to the protection

of women, the Knesset passed the Prevention of

Sexual Harassment Law in 1998. At the time, this

law was the most comprehensive and far-

reaching sexual harassment law of its kind

anywhere in the world.

This continued support of the advancement of

women in Israeli politics has enabled a woman

to rise to the position of Speaker of the Knesset.

In May 2006, the Knesset elected Dalia Itzik as

their first female speaker of the Knesset. In 2006,

Supreme Court Justice Dorit Beinish was sworn

in as President of the Supreme Court.

Women in Israel have always been guaranteed

gender equality since the establishment of the

state in 1948. This guarantee has enabled

womens empowerment and active participation

in Israeli life.

Israels Declaration of Independence states: The

State of Israelwill ensure complete equality of

social and political rights to all its inhabitants

irrespective of religion, race or sex. This docu-

ment itself bears the signatures of two women.

Two decades later, one of these women, Golda

Meir, became Israels first female prime minister.

Israel was the third country in the world to be ledby a female head of government.

Dozens of women have served in the Knesset,

Israels parliament, and many have risen to the

highest levels of government.

The Knesset is very active in working to protect

the rights of women and established The

Committee on the Status of Women, to address

womens issues. This committee brings together

Knesset members from different parties to work

together to prevent discrimination, combat

violence against women, and promote equality in

politics, lifecycle events and education.

Ester Levanon, CEO of the Tel Aviv StockExchange, rings the NASDAQ closing bell

Israel National Photo Collection

MK Gila Gamliel and former MK TamarEshel at a convention of past andpresent female Knesset members

Embassy of Israel

Washington, D.C.

www.israelemb.org


President ofthe Supreme

CourtDorit Beinish

The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc.

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Born in Kiev, Ukraine in 1898, Golda Mabovitz and

her family immigrated to the United States in

1906 where they settled in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

In Wisconsin she became active in the Habonim

youth group and was an advocate of Zionism,

the movement to rebuild a Jewish homeland in

Israel.

Golda married Morris Myerson, in 1917. The

couple emigrated to Palestine in 1921, and spent

three years in Kibbutz Merhavia. O n the kibbutz,

Golda was elected as representative of Merhavia

to the Histadrut labor union. In 1924, the couple

moved to Jerusalem, where they had two

children.

Folowing her time as Merhavia representative,

Golda was elected head of the womens branch

of the Histadrut labor union in 1928. On May 14,

1948, Golda was one of 24 signatories on Israels

Declaration of Independence.

Israels first passport was issued for Golda as she

traveled to the United States to help raise money

for Israel. Always active in Israeli political affairs,

Golda was appointed Israels first ambassador to

the Soviet Union.

Arab-Israeli women actively participate in govern-

ment and public life. Nadia Hilou was the second

Israeli-Arab woman to serve in the Knesset.

Like men, women in Israel are obligated to serve

their country either through military service or

through national civic service. This service is

performed in a range of schools, hospitals and

non-profit organizations. Approximately one third

of Israeli women choose this option.

Women serving in the military in Israel play a

significant role, often serving as combat instruc-

tors. In 2001, the Israeli Air Force Academy gradu-

ated its first female combat pilot. In addition,

several women have served as Spokesperson for

the Israel Defense Forces.

Israeli women have risen to the highest levels of

both commerce and academia. 57 percent of all

Israeli academic degrees are awarded to women,

and women have risen to the level of CEO in many

Israeli Fortune 500 companies.

Golda MeirIsraels Fourth Prime Minister

In 1949, Golda was elected to the Knesset. She

held numerous cabinet posts before being

appointed Foreign Minister in 1956. That same

year, Golda adopted the Hebrew surname Meir.

When Prime Minister Levi Eshkol passed away

suddenly in 1969, 71-year old Golda became his

successor as Prime Minister.

She was re-elected Prime Minister in 1973 and

served in that capactiy during the Yom Kippur

War. Golda Meir resigned in 1974 shortly after

being re-elected.

Golda passed away in 1978 and is buried onMount Herzl in Jerusalem.



Golda Meir and David Ben-Gurion

in the Knesset

Prime MinisterGolda Meir


An Israeli soldier seals herballot for the 17th

Knesset elections

Israeli tennis

pro Shahar Peer.

At the 2007

Australian Open,

she became the

first Israeli woman

to reach the

quarterfinals of

a Grand Slam.

Dalia Narkiss serves as CEO of Manpower, Israels

largest employment agency. Galia Maor serves as

CEO of Bank Leumi, one of Israels leading commer-

cial banks, and is ranked among Fortune

Magazines 50 Most Powerful Women in Business.

Israeli women have competed nationally and

internationally in sporting events since Israel first

participated in the Olympic games in 1952. Israel

won its first Olympic medal in 1992, when female

athlete Yael Arad won a silver medal in judo at the

Barcelona games.

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