Israeli parliament passes law enshrining gender segregation in universities

Israeli parliament passes law enshrining gender segregation in universities Submitted by MEE staff on Fri, 07/17/2026 - 08:35 New legislation allows separate master's and PhD programmes for men and women Students march from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem during a nationwide anti-government protest on 23 March 2023 (Nir Alon/ZUMA Press Wire via Reuters) Off 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.