Record number of female MKs to be sworn in at ceremony for Israel's 26th Knesset

Initiative CEO Yael Yechieli said that achieving 50% female representation in government "will be part of the healing process for the State of Israel."

A record 33 female MKs are set to be sworn in to Israel's 26th Knesset on Tuesday, the 5050 Initiative announced, citing data from the "Choosing Wisely" project.

The announcement comes after the initiative's CEO, Yael Yechieli, sent a letter to party leaders and President Isaac Herzog, in which she demanded 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.

Yechieli's letter itself followed a KAN News report showing gender disparities in parties that had pledged to promote equality, including Yashar, B'Yachad, Yisrael Beytenu, and the Democrats.

According to the 5050 Initiative, which operates under the Centers for Social Justice, 21 of the total 33 female MKs are members of parties with equal representation between men and women, including Yashar, B'Yachad, and the Democrats.

Several parties have few women; haredi parties completely male

In contrast, Likud, the Joint List, Yisrael Beytenu, Otzma Yehudit, the Religious Zionist Party (RZP), and Ra'am each have fewer than five women in their parties.

In addition, each of the haredi (ultra-Orthodox) parties is completely male, with no women having served within them in their histories.

Of the 33 female MKs, 18 will be serving in the Knesset for their first time, with 13 continuing their service from the 25th Knesset and two returning from a previous Knesset.

Three of the women, Keren Turner-Eyal, Liran Avisar Ben-Horin, and Tair Ifergan, have served as directors-general of government ministers, while two, Tal Ohana and Oshrat Gani Gonen, have headed local authorities, the initiative noted.

An additional five, Transportation Minister Miri Regev, Gila Gamliel, Orit Farkash-Hacohen, Meirav Cohen, and Orit Strock, have served as ministers, with Strock being the only female MK in Israel's 26th Knesset with no academic degree. Of the 87 male MKs, 24 have not completed higher education.

Yechieli: More work needed to reach 50% representation goal

Yechieli emphasized that, while the 26th Knesset is certainly a milestone, the initiative still has a lot of work to do to reach its goal of 50% female representation in every Israeli political party.

"I know that had we not been active over the past four years, we would see fewer women in this Knesset. What has happened within the right-wing bloc is a tragedy; women are gradually disappearing. On the other hand, our eyes are set on the future, toward the next elections."

She added that achieving 50% representation "will be part of the healing process for the State of Israel. I am excited and happy that we have partners within the Knesset, both men and women, for whom the value of equality is a supreme principle, and I know that we will work together."