A first-of-its-kind step in Bnei Brak: Gender segregation on city sidewalks
For the first time in Israel, the Bnei Brak Municipality has announced an official decision to segregate men and women on certain sidewalks throughout the city. The move comes following a directive from the city's rabbis, who seek to maintain the Haredi lifestyle in the public sphere.
The segregation will be implemented on Shlomo Hamelech and Ezra streets, which are considered central and busy thoroughfares. According to the decision, the sidewalks adjacent to event halls will be divided into separate zones, so that men and women will walk in different lanes when arriving at events.
The municipality explained that the goal is to accommodate the Haredi public living in the city and to prevent crowding and discomfort in high-traffic areas. This is a significant change in municipal policy, as it is the first time a local authority in Israel has approved official segregation on public sidewalks.
The decision has sparked great interest among the Israeli public, as it raises questions regarding the shared public space in the country. While many residents of Bnei Brak welcome the move, other parties are examining the legal and social implications of such segregation in open spaces.
As of now, the municipality plans to begin implementing the segregation in the near future. It is not yet clear whether this model will be expanded to additional streets in the city in the future, or if it will remain limited only to areas adjacent to event halls.