In a historic decision, the High Court of Justice on Thursday gave the ultra-Orthodox party Agudat Israel 21 days to remove all barriers that prevent women from being party members, running for places on the party's list and representing it in the Knesset.
The decision could have direct ramifications for any political party whose constitution is deemed discriminatory.
The petition against the Agudat Israel charter was filed by 10 women's groups led by the nonprofit Itach – Women Lawyers for Social Justice. The petition argued that the article in the party charter violates women's equality and their basic right to be elected to public office.
Although the petition specifically addresses the Agudat Israel charter, none of the haredi parties in Israel have any female MKs.
In October 2016, the High Court ordered the government and Agudat Israel to explain why the article barring women from the party should not be revoked.
Attorney Tamar Ben Porat welcomed the decision.
"After a battle of more than 30 years, we received historic news. The High Court has been just and from now on, all formal barriers that kept haredi women from representing themselves in the Knesset have been removed," she said.
Attorney Netta Levi from Itach said, "We hope the haredi parties implement the ruling and allow women to run in the upcoming election. We will continue to represent any woman who is being blocked from running."
For some 20 years, Agudat Israel has run for the Knesset as part of an alliance with another Ashekenazi haredi faction, Degel Hatorah. This week, the Knesset House Committee approved a formal split, allowing the parties to run separately in the April 9 Knesset election. It is unclear how or if the High Court ruling will affect the number of seats the party garners if in fact its list includes female candidates.
