international women’s day

International Women’s Day.

Photos of Arab women went viral in 2011.

Then in 2012, I published photos of Arab girls

that just keep going and going.

Muslim girls in Jerusalem Israel shopping

Arab girls still can be found shopping in Jerusalem

on just about any day in most neighborhoods.

But this year I would like to focus on a few special women.

MK Rachel Azaria is using her position in the Knesset,

Rachel Azaria in Knesset committee room

with the assistance of various women’s groups,

to help working conditions and family life.

Yesterday another committee meeting was held on issues

including extended parental leave and allowing fathers to

take time off on the birth of child without fear of losing their jobs.

On my way out of the Knesset I passed

Arab students in Knesset on tour

an Arab school group starting a Knesset tour.

Arab girls going to visit Knesset

Muslim girls were on their way to the Knesset also.

I have meet some impressive Arab women and girls,

but most have not wanted their photo and names shared.

Perhaps times are slowly changing,

Norhan Abu Kutuv of Yafo at Ynet conference

because seated next to President Reuven Rivlin

on a teen panel at a Ynet education conference,

was Norhaan, who asked a question of the Israeli President.

Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely

Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotolvely

held at a press conference at the King David Hotel.

Tzipi Hotovely speaking in Jerusalem

Justice Minister Ayelet Sheked answered questions

from American Jewish leaders.

Both women have promising futures in Israeli politics,

but one woman stands out for my special recognition

on this International Women’s Day,

Karnit Flug.

Bank of Israel president Karmit Flug at Jerusalem Press Club annual report

Remember how they said no man could replace

Stanley Fischer as President of the Bank of Israel?

Karnit Flug was interim head,

and was then appointed to the top position.

Each year she presents a report on the Israeli economy,

and each year she is more impressive.

Slowly banking is getting better

and things are changing.

Women in Israel are making a positive difference.

Another International Women’s Day during Israel Apartheid Week,

while each year the IAW hate-fest gets longer and louder,

not much else has changed.

Hanin Zoabi can still yell about

“occupation and injustice” from inside the Knesset.

She can shout that Israel is a Jewish state and not democratic.

She rants against the Israeli government

and retains her seat in the Knesset

and her right to free speech.

Does she not see her freedoms as an Arab woman in Israel,

as compared to females in the rest of Arab world?

There are not just female Arab Knesset members,

but Arab – Muslim girls visit the Knesset on a regular basis,

an Arab girl can work as a guide,

while an Arab female Knesset member speaks with the media.

When seven new Qadis were sworn in at Beit Hanasi,

the Israeli President’s official residence,

females were not among the new Islamic Sharia judges,

but Muslim women and girls were invited and attended.

Women in Saudi Arabia are still not allowed to drive a car.

Sometimes new female drivers are chaperoned,

but in Jerusalem, Israel,

I have seen a female driving instructor wearing a hijab.

Life is not always a day in the park,

but many like to sit and enjoy the new Teddy Fountain.

Arab girls can walk about freely.

They can be found

with cell phones texting inside an office building,

or alone on the street.

As this couple was crossing busy King George Street,

there were two Israeli girls in uniform on the other side,

who did not even notice they were there.

Arab women and girls can be found,

shopping in the Machane Yehuda Market, the shuk,

in Talpiot, in groups

or alone,

day or night,

in the stores of Mamilla Mall,

or along Jaffe Street in town.

Photos of Arab girls,

walking to Jaffa Gate and the Old City,

or eating in a cafe on Ben Yehuda Mall,

are normal, every day, no-news occurrences.

I have too many photos to share.

But, these are three all-time favorites:

This woman and other Arab women receiving diplomas for

their advanced graduate degrees in science at Hebrew University.

This woman taking a selfie at the Western Wall Plaza,

while hundreds of IDF soldiers waited for a special ceremony.

And this one,

oh, those Arab girls.

Five years have gone by since my first post,

and Arab women and girls in the Middle East

still have more freedom in Israel.

Updated: On March 13, 2016,

one photo was requested to be removed.

March 8, 2021 – the young woman who asked to have her photo removed let me take it when she was a Knesset tour guide. Today she is serving as an Israeli diplomat in a foreign country.

The Real Jerusalem Streets

5 Special Israeli Women on International Women’s Day

18 New Photos of Arab Girls