According to the year 2015, women stand at the head of 7 out of 256 local authorities in Israel.
Municipal elections in Israel Municipal elections in Israel are elections in which the residents of the cities and local councils in Israel vote for the chairman of the local authority (mayor or municipality chairman), as well as the city councils or the local councils.
Since the foundation of the state of Israel in 1948 until 1978, when the municipal elections system has been reformed, residents would use one ballot to elect a political party. Once a coalition is formed, the mayor is elected by the council members.
Using the old electoral system (until 1978), 10 women were elected mayors. In 1978, the municipal electoral system was reformed and personalized, so that residents would use two ballots: one for the political party and the other for the position of mayor. Since the reform until today, 18 women were elected as mayors.
Statistics of Female representation in municipalities Looking over the years, statistics show an increase in the number of women elected as council members and mayors: In 1965, women formed 3.1% of the general number of council members and mayors, while in 1989 the percentage increased to 8.5%. In 1993, the percentage rose to 10.9% and 15.4% by 1998. Female representation has been consistently widespread; according to the statistics of 1998, 88.8% of the Jewish city/town councils included women. In the Arab villages and cities, women formed 0.4% of the total number of elected council members and mayors.
Promotion of female representation in Israel Although there has been an increasing number of women elected to hold municipal positions, the question of the number of female representation has been brought up many times in research and different conventions. Various explanations for the relatively low number of women were proposed: Women might still shy away from being politically involved. Women might still feel responsible for maintaining the household and raising the children. The connection between state and religion. Pressing issues like state security make topics like gender equality seem minor. Another theory claims there is a political mechanism to maintain the superiority of men.
Nevertheless, some of the political parties in Israel strive to secure seats for women in municipal elections. Meretz party, for example, secures 40% of the list of contenders to municipal council for women. Consequently, women in Meretz have achieved a 37% female representation of the total number of women in city and town councils.
In addition, WEPOWER ("Ken"), an Israeli NGO that was formed in 2000, proactively promotes women's leadership to the highest levels of decision-making and elected position. Many of today's female MKs, mayors and council members are alumni of the WEPOWER training programs.
Women mayors in Israel throughout the years
Name City/Regional council Years of officeChaika Grossman Ga'aton 1951–1950 Hadassah Bergman Chevel Ma'on 1953–1951 Chana Levin Rishon Lezion 1959–1956 Yafa Katz Kfar Yona 1959–1957 Yehudit Shoshani Ramat Yishay 1965–1962, 1971–1969, 1976–1974 Bat Sheva Eilon Brener 1985–1965 Menucha Charlap Yokne'am Illit 1967 Zehava Vechechina Kiryat Haroshet 1974–1971 Zelda Shacham Ramat Yishay 1974–1971 Violet Churi Kefar Yassif 1974–1972 Ora Poter Bney Shim'on 1989–1983 Ziva Ben Dror Even Yehuda 1993–1989 Marsha Kaspi Savion 1998–1993 Yael Shaltieli Bik'at Bet Shean 2006–1996 Daniella Weiss Kdumim 2007–1996 Vered Sweid Netanya 1998 Miriam Feirberg Netanya 1998 Yael German Hertzeliya 2013–1998 Ora Chacham Efal 2008–1999 Lilach Morgan Arava Tichona 2007–2002 Iris Avraham Givataim 2007–2006 Flora Shoshan Mitzpe Ramon 2013–2006 Sigal Moran Bnei Shimon 2009 Tali Ploskov Arad 2015–2010 Mati Zarfati Herkvi Yoav 2011 Lizi Delariche Ganey Tikva 2013 Shira Avin Ramat Hasharon 2013 Yeela Maklis Yehud Monosson 2013 Liat Shochat Or Yehuda 2015
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