Nearly half the Israeli public fear that ultra-Orthodox gender segregation will reach non-religious cities, according to a survey carried out last week. Following incidents of female harassment in Beit Shemesh, a town near Jerusalem that has seen its swelling ultra-Orthodox population clash with its more secular residents, gender segregation and the treatment of women in Israel has become a hot-button issue. Over the course of last week, an organization called Tzav Piyus ("Order of Conciliation) carried out a nationwide poll of 490 Jewish participants, and the results were reported by Israel Radio on Thursday. According to the survey, 45 percent of the public fear that gender segregation in public spaces and physical attacks against women by ultra-Orthodox men will also spread to their communities. Most of the respondents, however, said they did not believe that gender segregation was supported by all ultra-Orthodox communities. It was extremists, 70% of respondents said, who purport the separation of men and women in public places. Pollsters also asked if the ultra-Orthodox should be allowed to voluntarily segregate by gender, in line with their religious beliefs. Sixty percent of respondents were opposed to voluntary gender segregation, even if it was within ultra-Orthodox communities. Survey respondents were also asked about a recent proposal calling for the ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods of Beit Shemesh to be separated from the more secular areas. On this matter, those polled were divided. Almost half the public (49.1%) opposed the suggestion, while 40% supported it. Commenting on the results of the survey, Aliza Gershon, director-general of Tzav Piyus, said, "Despite attempts by groups to fan the flames and expand the conflict due to their political and cynical interests, the survey proves that most people understand that the violence and gender segregation only exist among the extreme ultra-Orthodox. We must never let extremists on any side lead us to hatred and alienation. The more moderate and sane voices among us must unite against them."
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