Universities Warn Gender-Segregated Graduate Bill Would Harm Research

Israeli university leaders escalated their opposition to a coalition bill that would let higher-education institutions open gender-segregated master's and doctoral tracks, subject to Council for Higher Education approval. Tel Aviv University president Ariel Porat warned it posed a real danger; Hebrew University said it would harm academic freedom; Bar-Ilan officials said segregating advanced research would damage research quality, training and teaching freedom. The Knesset Education Committee approved the measure for second and third readings on July 6, while supporters say it expands access for religiously observant and Haredi students. The dispute now centers on whether access can be widened without weakening shared research standards or respectful Torah-observant participation in Israeli academia.