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Israel's revolutionary sexual harassment law

The Law to Prevent Sexual Harassment adopted by the Knesset 20 years ago represented a real breakthrough in changing social norms and priorities overnight.
Labour party leader Shelly Yachimovich leaves after campaigning at the Mahne Yehuda market in Jerusalem January 16, 2013. In decline since the peace it sought with the Palestinians unravelled into violence, Israel's Labour Party looks set to regain some lost ground in next week's election after waging an economy-focused campaign. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun (JERUSALEM - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS) - GM1E91G1OP101
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One night in July 1997, the Knesset made history by passing the first reading of the Law to Prevent Sexual Harassment. It was met by all sorts of catcalls and sexist remarks by many of the legislature’s male members. Knesset member Yael Dayan had presented the innovative law in her capacity as chair of the Committee to Advance the Status of Women. At the time, she had to push back against warnings from Knesset members who argued that the legislation would prevent men and women from talking with each other. Rehavam Ze’evi, a major general in the reserves, seriously argued that women actually like to turn men down just to keep them trying.

It is safe to assume that the men sitting in the Knesset at the time did not understand why the law was of significance. As far as they were concerned, it was a feminist whim that posed a threat to the familiar, old existing order. Dayan, representing the Labor Party, and various other female Knesset members, including Likud's Limor Livnat, were fully aware that it was a historic breakthrough on an international scale.

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