University Heads Warn Academic-Separation Bill Could Divide Campuses

The Committee of University Heads warned the Knesset in an urgent July 5 letter against expanding the academic gender-separation bill. The letter said a last-minute change would extend separated tracks to bachelor's degrees and to public campus spaces, including labs, libraries and cafeterias. The university heads warned that the model could create second-class degrees for women, an enormous budget burden, academic-level gaps and serious harm to research and training in therapeutic professions. Israel should open real higher-education paths for Haredi and religious students while preserving academic standards, women's dignity and university autonomy.