Chairman Carmel Shamah-Hacohen of the Knesset Economics Committee announced, Tuesday, that he has decided to convene the committee next Wednesday to discuss the marginalization of women on public transportation. At issue is bus service in hareidi religious neighborhoods where women occupy the back of the bus in the interest of religious modesty.
The Likud lawmaker said, "The marginalization of womencontradictsand undermines thefundamental rightsgrantedto any personby virtue of theBasic Law onHuman Dignity and Liberty. The phenomenon,even if it ismarginal,is somethingunacceptableandviolates their dignity andstatus of womenin Israel, as well as the dignity andimage of Israel.The Knesset must make a clear statement about the marginalizationof women, soon, in a quickand instructive way."