Bnei Brak
Bnei BrakFlash 90

The Be Pharm drugstore in the heavily haredi city of Bnei Brak has decided, according to the rabbis' demand, to cover pictures of women's faces on product packaging with stickers.

The Be Pharm chain reported that the decision was made after discussions that took place both with the rabbi of the city of Bnei Brak and representatives of those that criticized the hiding of women's photos.

"Excluding women is contrary to society's values," the Be Pharm chain said. "Following the dialogue conducted in recent days by the CEO of the chain and officials on its behalf with the rabbi of Bnei Brak and the leaders of the protest, adjustments and changes of inventory of the branch in Bnei Brak were made," they explained.

The chairman of the Naamat womens' advocacy organization, Hagit Pe'er, said in response: "Shufersal (the supermarket chain that owns Be Pharm) has added to its crime. The chain works to exclude women and offers only lip service. The reaction proves that its leaders either do not understand the seriousness of the situation or think that the public is stupid."