Israeli medical schools oppose Knesset bill expanding gender-segregated studies

The deans of Israel's nine medical schools are urging lawmakers to reject proposed legislation that would expand gender-segregated study programs at the country's universities, warning that it could undermine medical training, threaten international accreditation and ultimately harm public health.

The legislation, which is scheduled for its second and third readings this week, would not make gender-segregated classes mandatory but would allow offering gender-segregated master’s and doctoral degree programs, mainly for religiously observant Jews.

In a letter published on Monday, the deans from Tel Aviv University, the Technion Institute of Technology, Bar-Ilan University, Ben-Gurion University, Ariel University, Reichman University, the University of Haifa and the Weizmann Institute of Science called on members of the Knesset to vote against the bill.

Critics of the bill warn it could steer more government funding toward gender-separate programs, leaving universities with the choice of adopting such policies or losing access to state funding.

The medical school deans argued that mixed-gender education is essential to preparing future physicians to work collaboratively while caring for Israel's culturally and ethnically diverse population.

The letter also warned that expanding gender-segregated study could jeopardize the international accreditation of Israeli universities, potentially limiting students' opportunities to work, study and collaborate with colleagues and institutions abroad.

The deans further argued that the legislation could ultimately weaken Israel's healthcare system. Referring to what they described as the country's already poor standing on several OECD healthcare metrics, they rhetorically asked members of the Knesset, "In the event that a relative of yours needs surgery, would you want the best professional, or a surgeon of the 'right' gender?"

The legislation stems from a 2021 High Court of Justice ruling that allowed the Council for Higher Education to continue encouraging gender-segregated courses in certain undergraduate programs.

The policy was designed to increase enrollment among ultra-Orthodox students and improve their integration into the workforce.

At the time, safeguards were included to prevent discrimination against female lecturers and to ensure the program remained focused on increasing ultra-Orthodox participation in undergraduate education.

Critics argue that the current bill largely removes those safeguards while expanding gender-segregated study beyond its original scope. It would extend such programs to master's and doctoral degrees, including medical training, where advanced degrees are required to practice.

Supporters of the legislation, including MK Limor Son Har-Melech of the Otzma Yehudit party, say it will "advance women from sectors that have not received the opportunities they deserve."

Opposition lawmakers and academic leaders, however, contend that the measure would achieve the opposite by prioritizing the preferences of ultra-Orthodox students at the expense of academic freedom, teaching quality and research.