Rabbanit Edna Bar-Shalom, a daughter of HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef ZT”L, states the late gadol hador did not object to chareidi women serving in Knesset. She made her statements earlier in the week at an assembly in the Israel Democratic Institute addressing the integration of chareidi women into the Israeli workplace and society.

Mrs. Bar-Shalom stated she believes it is important for chareidi women to serve as Members of Knesset, adding this is not contrary to halacha. She explained the rate of advancement of chareidi women will depend on how they act. She stresses that the values that chareidi women have cherished and live by must be maintained but this is not a reason not to enter Knesset and the workplace.

Mrs. Bar-Shalom established the first chareidi women’s college and many thought she would run for Knesset in the last elections but she agreed to head the Shas party women’s council instead.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)