The 5050 Initiative on Monday called on party leaders and President Isaac Herzog to ensure women are fully represented in coalition negotiations, criticizing parties that pledged equal representation ahead of the election.
According to a report shared by KAN News, the emerging negotiating teams of Yashar, B’Yachad, Yisrael Beytenu, and the Democrats include 12 men and just one woman, despite several of the parties having pledged to promote gender equality ahead of last week’s election.
Yael Yechieli, CEO of the 5050 Initiative, which operates under the Centers for Social Justice, sent a letter to the party leaders and Herzog, demanding equal participation in meetings between party leaders, the drafting of coalition agreements and government guidelines, and the allocation of ministerial portfolios and areas of responsibility.
Parties that pledged gender equality reportedly send all-male teams
The disparity is particularly notable among Yashar, B’Yachad, and the Democrats, all of which committed to 50% female representation in their party lists, which has been reflected in the number of seats each party has received.
Despite those pledges, the negotiating teams of all three parties reportedly consist entirely of men.
According to the reports, the only woman among the 13 representatives is a member of Yisrael Beytenu’s negotiating team.
“Partnership between women and men in decision-making processes makes it possible to bring a broader range of experience, perspectives, and solutions to the table,” Yechieli wrote.
“At this time of crisis, when the decisions on the agenda will shape the future of the State of Israel, we need the knowledge, experience, and capabilities that exist within Israeli society.”
Yechieli emphasized that women’s participation must extend beyond symbolic representation, arguing that they should have genuine authority over the decisions shaping the next government.
“In meetings between party leaders, in teams working to formulate agreements, in drafting the government’s basic guidelines, and in allocating areas of responsibility, women must sit around the table as full partners, with authority and influence over the decisions,” she wrote.
The Jerusalem Post has reached out to the four opposition parties for comment.
