The fight for true representation isn’t over
Introduction by Tara Feldman
Israel today stands at a crossroads – caught between a fragile ceasefire, continuing hostage negotiations and the looming threat of renewed war. The uncertainty extends beyond Israel’s borders, deeply affecting Jewish communities worldwide and countless others whose lives are intertwined with these events. Amid this turbulence, one thing is clear: women are on the frontlines of change.
As a 25-year-old Israeli American, a former soldier, a Zionist, and an advocate for a two-state solution, I, like many, find myself at the intersection of these complexities. Women occupy spaces they never have before, yet the fight for true representation is far from over. Behind closed doors, decisions continue to be made where our presence is not a given. For Jewish women, this challenge is even more nuanced – we are increasingly isolated from movements we once considered home, all because of our connection to Israel.
Jessica Levy captures this tension, exploring the impact of 7 October on young Jewish women – the rise in antisemitism and the silence from feminist movements. Through her lens of shifting realities – around safety, identity and advocacy – her piece sets the stage for this special edition of Key Issues to mark International Women’s Day tomorrow.
Maya Savir examines a parallel transformation, reflecting on how 7 October shattered the detachment many Israeli Jews once felt from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Like Levy, she highlights how Jewish women have awakened to a new and unsettling reality, showing how moments of crisis reshape national consciousness.
Daphna Hacker brings another aspect of resilience: the battle for women’s representation in Israel’s civil service. Just as Levy and Savir stress the need for voices to be heard – whether in the face of antisemitism or political discourse – Hacker demonstrates how this fight plays out in legal battles. Women continue to push for a place where their voices have long been suppressed.
Peymana Assad shares a personal perspective on history and identity. Her exploration of the Afghan-Jewish connection underscores the ability of human relationships to transcend political and religious divides. Her reflections complement Savir’s argument, showing that people and societies do, in fact, change.
Hanan Alsanah and Ela Alon further this conversation and demonstrate that women are not only extremely affected by war but instrumental in shaping peace. They highlight women-led-organisations engaged in extensive efforts towards conflict resolution and emphasise that peace cannot be built without women’s leadership.
These pieces are a clear indicator: change is coming, and while often painful and sparingly hopeful, it is always profound. In a world seemingly bound by cycles of uncertainty, women – whether navigating vulnerability in society, challenging shifting mindsets, fighting for legal reform, or fostering connections beyond historical boundaries – are actively shaping the future. No longer merely reacting to the world around us, today’s women are asserting our place in it with strength, conviction and purpose.
Tara Feldman is the political officer of Labour Friends of Israel and an intern at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS)
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