Subscribe to Print Edition | Thu., January 31, 2008 Shvat 24, 5768 | | Israel Time: 11:43 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Ultra-Orthodox men sitting in front of a segregated bus while women sit in the back. (Archives) Last update - 07:07 14/01/2008 Court to hear petition against segregation of sexes on buses By Yuval Yoaz Tags: Israel, Judaism  The High Court of Justice will hear a petition Monday against sex-segregated public buses known as mehadrin lines, which are meant to serve the ultra-Orthodox community. Orthodox American-Israeli novelist Naomi Ragen and the Israel Religious Action Center, the advocacy arm of Israel's Reform movement, brought the petition a year ago in a bid to sharply reduce the operation of sex-segregated buses and prevent men and women from being forced to sit separately. T Advertisement he state argues that the segregation - with men sitting in front and women in back - is voluntary and that the companies operating the mehadrin lines "are prohibited from forcing the voluntary arrangement on the rest of the passengers who are not interested in it. "There is no reason for the Transportation Ministry to get involved, as long as each person maintains a right to use those lines without being coerced by these arrangements," the state said. "A suitable arrangement is based on the assumption that there should not be a coerced segregation arrangement in public transit, but there is no obstacle to allowing the passengers to have voluntary separation between the sexes." In practice, however, passengers have complained that they feel coerced - sometimes by physical violence - into sitting in the designated section of the bus. Ragen decided to file suit after unintentionally boarding a mehadrin line, Egged's No. 40 bus, toward her home in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Ramot in July 2004. "I found myself insulted, humiliated and physically threatened because I refused to be bullied into giving up my seat and moving to the back of the bus," Ragen wrote. In addition, Miriam Shear, an Israeli-American woman on vacation from Canada, says she was slapped, kicked, punched and pushed by a group of ultra-Orthodox men in November 2006 when she refused to move to the back of Egged bus No. 2 on its way to the Western Wall. "This phenomenon [of sex segregation] impinges upon equality and causes degradation and damage to human dignity," said IRAC attorney Einat Hurvitz. "Since the government is not prepared to settle the matter, the court must intervene." More Jewish World news and features Related articles: Reform movement: Sex-segregated Egged buses are illegal Like the Taliban Bookmark to del.icio.us   Painful lessons The IDF has already learnt lessons of the Second Lebanon War. Brothers in guilt 'We are all guilty; is an effective summary of the final Winograd report.   1.   segregation of sexes on buses !!!! 07:00  |  Ana 14/01/08   2.   Rabbi Moshe Feinstein ruled that it`s not a problem 07:55  |  Frum Jew 14/01/08   3.   simple solution ban orthodox men from riding these buses 08:32  |  v hardman 14/01/08   4.   What year is this? 08:43  |  Gershon Reed 14/01/08   5.   So it is voluntary segregation ! 08:59  |  Steve the Pals. 14/01/08   6.   Judaeo-Facists thrive in the Holy Land 09:15  |  B`Galil 14/01/08   7.   Much ado about nothing 09:27  |  Shulamit Batel 14/01/08   8.   welcome to Shas- istan 09:28  |  SJ 14/01/08   9.   Religious coercion OUT 09:40  |  Iz Ray Leigh 14/01/08   10.   Mehadrin Buses Boycott Bar Ilan University 10:55  |  Chaim 14/01/08   11.   segregation on buses 11:23  |  HM 14/01/08   12.   If you don`t like Jews 12:01  |  Efox 14/01/08   13.   Religious people are always right 12:46  |  Ryan 14/01/08   14.   What about a President and, a Vise PM and a Defense Minister????? 13:07  |  AVI 14/01/08   15.   The religious don`t want these Egged lines too!!!! 13:09  |  AVI 14/01/08   16.   Not surprising... 13:37  |  Dave 14/01/08   17.   Is there any State 13:49  |  Joe 14/01/08   18.   Business Woman 13:58  |  Roslyn 14/01/08   19.   # 12 Efox...for heaven`s sake 14:01  |  Lynn 14/01/08   20.   ROSA PARKS IN ISRAEL? 14:14  |  Petra 14/01/08   21.   Let them have it... 14:21  |  Yoel 14/01/08   22.   # 13 Efox, I usually agree with you, not this time. 14:21  |  Petra 14/01/08   23.   Bus Segregation and the degredation of women in israel 14:22  |  Millie 14/01/08   24.   Why do the have to sit 14:26  |  Paul Wood 14/01/08   25.   # 11 Agreed! 14:28  |  Petra 14/01/08   26.   #11 HM 14:33  |  Paul Wood 14/01/08   27.   Goes to show... 14:36  |  Yonatan 14/01/08   28.   # 23 AMEN MILLIE, AMEN 14:46  |  Petra 14/01/08   29.   Maybe these "Rabbis" need their asses kicked by a good 14:55  |  Petra 14/01/08   30.   # 26 Paul Wood,,,not the environment 14:56  |  Lynn 14/01/08   31.   PAUL WOOD, SO YOU BLAME ALL WOMEN BECAUSE OF EVE? 15:04  |  Petra 14/01/08   32.   Paul Wood 15:05  |  Iz Ray Leigh 14/01/08   33.   # 23 Millie...women have always had 15:11  |  Lynn 14/01/08   34.   # 17 JOE YES, 15:11  |  Petra 14/01/08   35.   PETRA SO WELL-STATED Todah Raba 15:14  |  B`Galil 14/01/08   36.   # 35 B`gail thanks 15:32  |  Petra 14/01/08   37.   segregation of sexes in public transport 15:34  |  mrs equal rights 14/01/08   38.   # 33 Lynn and Millie YES! by all means 15:38  |  Petra 14/01/08   39.   To All You Equal Rights Secularists 16:15  |  Avi Yerushalmi 14/01/08   40.   # 2 Frum Jew 16:23  |  Avi Yerushalmi 14/01/08   41.   Re: ROSA PARKS IN ISRAEL 16:37  |  Jerry 14/01/08   42.   Naomi Regan 17:06  |  Avi Yerushalmi 14/01/08   43.   # 41 Jerry perhaps Israel will see the error of their ways 17:25  |  Petra 14/01/08   44.   #20 Petra, great comments 17:29  |  Benjamina 14/01/08   45.   # 39 Avi when did the Rabbinate get limos for exclusive use? 17:37  |  Petra 14/01/08   46.   Avi, go read the Torah again 18:28  |  Yonatan 14/01/08   47.   Avi, try paying taxes first 18:36  |  David 14/01/08   48.   Petra #45 18:40  |  Avi Yerushalmi 14/01/08   49.   David, #47 18:48  |  Avi Yerushalmi 14/01/08   50.   Segregation 19:19  |  Stella 14/01/08   51.   # 46 Yonathan, LOL Funny guy! 19:58  |  Petra 14/01/08   52.   Avi, that makes no sense 20:28  |  David 14/01/08   53.   David #52 20:53  |  Avi Yerushalmi 14/01/08   54.   Blind hatred? 21:10  |  David 14/01/08   55.   A Compromise? 21:21  |  eli 14/01/08   56.   Avi, where are the gay buses? 21:28  |  Yonatan 14/01/08   57.   # 41 Rosa Parks In Israel YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 21:37  |  Petra 14/01/08   58.   avi yerushalmi 39 21:38  |  realism 14/01/08   59.   # 52 David, Wonderful!! Every word you say is true!! 21:42  |  Petra 14/01/08   60.   Yonathan and David, TOUCHE` FAB! DON`T STOP NOW 21:46  |  Petra 14/01/08   61.   ELI A COMPROMISE? 21:49  |  Petra 14/01/08   62.   Haredim versus the Tanach 22:04  |  Yoel 14/01/08   63.   Yonatan #56 22:08  |  Avi Yerushalmi 14/01/08   64.   Realism #58 22:13  |  Avi Yerushalmi 14/01/08   65.   London and New York 22:23  |  Joseph 14/01/08   66.   Women in Judaism 23:07  |  Avi Yerushalmi 14/01/08   67.   Joseph #65 23:14  |  Avi Yerushalmi 14/01/08   68.   I don`t care about the talmud 01:56  |  Yoel 15/01/08   69.   Rashi was a moron 02:00  |  David 15/01/08   70.   avi yerushalmi 64 03:55  |  realism 15/01/08   71.   No kidding 06:04  |  Gordon 15/01/08   72.   How ridiculous! 06:19  |  sweis Melbourne 15/01/08   73.   re: Lynn 07:39  |  Efox 15/01/08   74.   re: Petra 07:42  |  Efox 15/01/08   75.   #68 08:29  |  Avi Yerushalmi 15/01/08   76.   EFox # 74 #75 08:35  |  Avi Yerushalmi 15/01/08   77.   Avi exposed 10:31  |  Yonatan 15/01/08   78.   haredim should move to Saudi Arabia 10:35  |  David 15/01/08   79.   Eli #55 10:54  |  Avi Yerushalmi 15/01/08   80.   So, Avi, what you are saying 10:57  |  Moshe 15/01/08   81.   Yonatan #77 11:21  |  Avi Yerushalmi 15/01/08   82.   This is a Jewish State! 11:35  |  Avi Yerushalmi 15/01/08   83.   Moshe # 80 11:44  |  Avi Yerushalmi 15/01/08   84.   Avi, you make me laugh 11:55  |  Yonatan 15/01/08   85.   re: David 12:00  |  Efox 15/01/08   86.   re: Yonatan 12:06  |  Efox 15/01/08   87.   re: Yonatan`s Reply to Avi 12:16  |  Efox 15/01/08   88.   avi 82 17:18  |  realism 15/01/08   89.   Re #2 Good answer. Citation? 18:25  |  DJStahl 15/01/08   90.   Clearly assault is against the law 18:30  |  DJStahl 15/01/08   91.   # Realism #88 18:36  |  Avi Yerushalmi 15/01/08   92.   Re #66 Women in Judaism 19:09  |  DJStahl 15/01/08   93.   Maybe let the women sit in the front? 20:41  |  Yaakov 15/01/08   94.   chastity and modesty in ludaism 20:56  |  Avi Yerushalmi 15/01/08   95.   An orthodox Jew againts ultra-retard-orthodox jews 22:01  |  Orthodox 15/01/08   96.   Re #94 principle, and p`sak halachah 22:52  |  DJStahl 15/01/08   97.   # 95 22:58  |  Avi Yerushalmi 15/01/08   98.   # 93 23:01  |  Avi Yerusalmi 15/01/08   99.   Re #93, #98 A lick of paint, a scrap of cloth, a bit of plexi 19:29  |  DJStahl 16/01/08   100.   avi 91 04:37  |  realism 21/01/08

Today Online PM: War report 'lifts moral stigma' from me Responses: 28 Jewish group to build 200 new homes in East Jerusalem Responses: 28 Winograd: Current use of cluster bombs not in line with int'l law Responses: 14 Yossi Verter: Now that the war report is out, all eyes are on Barak Send response Israel Harel: Publis also to blame for IDF and state mistakes Send response Rosner's Domain The campaign for Darfur has achieved all its goals - but one Rosner's Guest: Israelis do not know enough about Jewish Diaspora Jewish vote in Florida: 58% for Clinton (WTR) Poll: Is there a "constant virulent campaign" against Obama? Back to divestment from Israel (WTR) More Headlines 11:30 PM: Winograd report 'lifts moral stigma' from me 11:34 Peretz: Lebanon War was missed opportunity, but had to be done 11:06 Palestinian militant killed by IDF fire in southern Gaza Strip 07:44 Winograd: Current use of cluster bombs not in line with int'l law 07:46 ANALYSIS: Was Lebanon War necessary? Report doesn't say 10:03 Jewish group to build 200 new housing units in East Jerusalem 10:01 IDF says was 'well aware' of flaws before Winograd Report 11:12 ANALYSIS: Mixed verdict in war report leaves protesters in a quandary 08:00 Israel says Libya unworthy of seat on UN Security Council 11:04 Jerusalem reopens traffic but keep schools closed as snow falls 10:46 Beijing's only Kosher restuarant mulls second branch ahead of Olympics 10:44 Giuliani drops out of Republican race and backs McCain Previous Editions Select Day 30 jan 29 jan 28 jan 27 jan 25 jan 24 jan 23 jan 22 jan 21 jan 20 jan 18 jan 17 jan

Special Offers Advertisement ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Dead Sea Salt Beauty and skin care from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 10% off! FAREWELL ISRAEL New Film The Coming War for Islamic Revival - View Movie Trailer Inbal Jerusalem Hotel Unbeatable rates at the Finest hotel in Jerusalem Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations SUPER-TUESDAY U.S. PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY U.S. citizen in Israel vote Democrats-Abroad Global Primary online, in-person. Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved