Political Representation in Israel: Minority Sectors VS. Women

The Knesset (the Israeli legislature) has become more representative of Israeli society over the years. This article examines developments in the representation of significant groups in Israeli society-Arabs, religious (orthodox) Jews, and Mizrachim (Jews of Oriental, usually Asian or North African, descent)-and of women through Israel's history, from the elections to the first Knesset (1949) to the last elections (2009). It also analyses how increased representation of some groups (the religious orthodox Jews, Arabs) or a change in the pattern of their representation (Mizrachim) may affect and impair the representation of women.