THE GOVERNANCE OF RELIGIOUS DIVERSITY MORE OR LESS SECULARISM? 10-12 June 2015 SESSION: ROUNDTABLE: GOVERNING RELIGIOUS DIVERSITY AND GENDER RELATIONS THE MONOPOLY OF JEWISH ORTHODOXY IN ISRAEL AND ITS EFFECTS ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN Raphael Cohen-Almagor | University of Hull Democracy is supposed to allow each and every individual the opportunity to follow her conception of the good without coercion. Generally speaking, Israel gives precedence to Judaism over liberalism. This article argues that the reverse should be the case. In Section I it is explained what are the Halachic grounds for discrimination against women. Section II considers Israeli legislation that is pertinent to promote equality between men and women, aimed to counter the discriminatory Jewish Law. Section III analyses inegalitarian manifestations of Orthodox Judaism in Israeli society today, especially discriminatory practices in matters of personal status. It is argued that Judaism needs to adapt gender equality because of Israel’s commitment to human equality.