Number of female MKs today only slightly higher than number in first Knesset
By: israelinsider staff
Published: February 6, 2007
The number of female Knesset members has increased by only six since the establishment of the first Knesset in 1949, a report published by the The Knesset Information and Research Center found. There are currently 17 women in the Knesset.
The three parties with the highest number of women MKs are Israel Our Home (27 percent), Kadima (20.5 percent) and the Labor Party (16 percent), said the study, which was published as the Knesset celebrated its 58th anniversary on Monday.
Despite their low representation in the 16th and 17th Knesset (totaling only 14 percent), women MKs excel in legislation, the study showed. MK Zahava Gal-On of the Meretz faction has proposed the highest number of bills in the 16th Knesset -- 154, and former MK Gila Finkelstein from the National Religious Party passed most bills -- 13.
Since the Knesset was established only two Arab Women have served as MKs: Hussniya Jabara who was an MK in the 15th Knesset for the Meretz faction and Nadia Hilou who is currently an MK for the Labor Party in the 17th Knesset. There has never been a woman MK for one of the ultra-Orthodox parties.
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