Ultra-Orthodox Women Break Political Barriers and Demand Representation in Israel
Ultra-Orthodox women in Israel are breaking decades of political exclusion, securing spots on a new party list and demanding military service, core education, and representation.
More than a decade ago, dozens of ultra-Orthodox women gathered in a remote community center in Bnei Brak to discuss politics, representation, and breaking barriers in a society governed by strict modesty codes. Today, that underground frustration has evolved into a tangible political movement. Recently, more than 26,000 ultra-Orthodox women and men participated in a simulated primary platform to assemble a hypothetical list of female candidates for the Knesset. Concurrently, two prominent women secured spots in the top five of a new ultra-Orthodox political faction, the "HaTzibur HaHaredi Party".
Breaking the Silence and the Impact of October 7
Activists argue that the ground is shifting within the Haredi street. Estee Shushan, a feminist activist, media personality, and founder of the "Nivcharot" movement, notes that the ongoing war and the trauma of October 7 acted as a watershed moment. The public expects Haredi integration into the national military and economic effort, yet the traditional leadership has shown a disconnect from grieving families and reservists.
"The world has changed, and we are changing with it," Shushan asserts. "The war created a profound fracture. We want to provide a counterweight to a traditional leadership that has alienated the secular public and caused deep resentment. It is impossible to continue this way, especially after the immense wound of October 7."
The Birth of a New Political Alternative
Behind the scenes, years of grassroots organizing, public campaigns, and leadership training programs have prepared a new generation of women to step forward. Recently, a group of activists drafted a comprehensive charter outlining the needs of ultra-Orthodox women from the next Knesset. The document addresses quality education, women's health, protection against domestic violence, support during divorce proceedings, and high-paying employment integration.
Despite resistance from mainstream parties such as "United Torah Judaism" and "Shas", which continue to field all-male lists, the inclusion of Dr. Nachumi Yaffe and Ziva Galantz in the new "HaTzibur HaHaredi Party" represents a historic milestone. Activists emphasize that this development sends a clear warning to the old guard that the era of political exclusion is drawing to a close.
