The deans of Israel’s medical schools published a letter to Knesset members warning of the dangers posed by the proposed Gender Segregation Bill in Higher Education, Kan reported this morning.
The proposed bill “is a direct danger to the health of the citizens of Israel,” the deans wrote in the letter. “The approval of the law will make gender the determining factor in the training of medical staff, instead of the expertise of the lecturers.”
“The bill’s approval will lead to a loss of international recognition and appreciation of Israel’s institutions of higher education,” they added.
The deans continued, "Israeli doctors will not be able to go on a super specialty (fellowship) in the leading hospitals abroad, which will lead to a fatal blow to the availability and quality of specialist doctors in Israel."
Furthermore, they wrote that joint study is “an essential basis for adapting medical treatment to all populations.” Calling on Maimonides’ spirit, the deans said: “the medical system must see a person first and foremost, regardless of gender or status.”
Knesset approves bill in second and third reading, pending plenum approval
Last week, the Knesset approved the bill on second and third reading. It will be put to a vote later this week.
The bill will permit graduate schools to offer gender-segregated study tracks, which are currently prohibited.
"Contrary to the misleading campaign against it, this law does not impose segregation on anyone - it expands freedom of choice,” Education Committee Chair MK Tzvi Sukkot said following the bill’s approval last week.
“Those who speak in the name of pluralism should also respect the religious and ultra-Orthodox public and allow them an equal opportunity to advance in academia.”