There were controversies at Tel Aviv and Bar Ilan Universities surrounding Holocaust Remembrance Day and Independence Day events addressing kol isha. In addition, there was a dispute at Hebrew University when frum female students asked for a mechitzah at a prom.

The next venue is back in the capital, surrounding a Student’s Day event. Jerusalem City Hall legal advisor Eli Malka issued an expert legal opinion against separate Student Day events for religious and secular students.

According to the Channel 2 News report, religious and chareidi student representatives have requested NIS 300,000 from City Hall to permit organizing a separate Student Day even for them rather than having one for all students, religious and secular. The event is scheduled to take place in about ten days. They explain that they simply do not feel comfortable at the planned event for the secular students and want their own, adding the request represents some 2,000 dati leumi and chareidi students.

When the secular representatives heard of the sum requested for the alternative event they expressed opposition, insisting there should only be a single event for everyone.

The issue was resolved by Malka’s ruling, who cited his decision has nothing to do with funding but rather the fact there should be one event for all the students and there should not be a division based on gender or religious observance. He added that this is his opinion including cases in which the public wishes to have segregation.

Mayor Nir Barkat’s office intervened and will fund the events and the issue of a mechitzah or any type of separation will be left to the various student councils to work out.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)