Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman this week spoke out against Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara, who recently blocked a pilot program for gender-segregated bathing at a number of natural springs.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
It is a shame that "instead of working to bridge divisions in Israeli society, the attorney general is choosing a path that is all about heightening tensions and rifts within the people," Silman said.
Video: Swimmers in the Kinneret asked to exit due to allergy concerns
In a meeting about the pilot program, Baharav-Miara told Silman that the plan could not proceed because the Nature and Parks Authority – in charge of the springs in question – did not have the authority to hold separate bathing times, and if it wanted to do so, a law needed to be passed first granting it the authority to do so.
She also claimed that gender-segregated bathing went against gender equality.
Silman shot back, saying that the attorney general should find a legal solution to the matter that would not negatively impact the general public "instead of ignoring the needs of the [ultra-Orthodox] public and arguing that their request constitutes religious coercion, which further exacerbates the division within the people."
"Unfortunately, the pursuit of equality and pluralism ends when it comes to the needs of the ultra-Orthodox, Arab and religious public," Silman lamented.
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
