How International Women's Day in the Knesset became One Big Joke.
How's this for a succinct answer? Yulia Shamalov-Berkovich (Kadima).
Ok, you say. Shamalov-Berkovich (Kadima) is not very succinct as Israeli names go. You're right. But ignore that for now. Let me explain.
On International Women's Day, this already less-than-stellar uber-freshman MK was not joking when her office issued a press release with the following headline:
How's this for a succinct answer? Yulia Shamalov-Berkovich (Kadima).
Ok, you say. Shamalov-Berkovich (Kadima) is not very succinct as Israeli names go. You're right. But ignore that for now. Let me explain.
On International Women's Day, this already less-than-stellar uber-freshman MK was not joking when her office issued a press release with the following headline:
"In honor of International Women's Day – Female MKs are battling the cold in the Knesset"
The rest of the announcement went on to explain that YSB has taken up the struggle to get the Knesset to turn down the air conditioning. She wrote a letter on the subject to Knesset Director-General Dan Landau, a copy of which reached NMM's hands:"Since I have arrived in the Knesset, I find myself frequently sick and chilled due to temperatures that
reach as low as 16 degrees (Celsius). I have requested, I have restrained myself, I have suffered, and
enough is enough. I do not understand how one can advance anything in the Knesset when the entire place [gives examples to show that she knows that Knesset includes features such as dining rooms, committee rooms, and the plenum] is "dog cold".
"Although well dressed men here are found in suits, which maintain their body heat and their status, the accepted dress code expected of us, women, includes an elegant appearance that frequently involves skirts, dresses, high heels, and so forth."
"I was surprised to discover that some committee chairman demand that the ushers not raise the thermostat in committee rooms and I was not aware that their authority included veto power regarding temperature in hearing rooms."
"According to the Electric Company, the recommended temperature for the public in buildings in order to maintain reasonable electric use is between 22-24 degrees, winter and summer. Maintaining this temperature range in the Knesset will not merely help ensure the health of those who visit, but will also save a fortune in public funds."
According to an independent poll that I carried out in the Knesset, it seems that this phenomenon is not unique to me. Many members of Knesset, male as well as female, share my feelings and are forced to dress in a warmer, heavier and bulkier manner."
"From one issue to another on the same subject: The plenum hall suffers from a lack of ventilation and unpleasant compacting (?) of air. The feeling is one of sitting in a sealed and unventilated room. It seems that in an attempt to rectify the lack of ventilation, those in charge choose to freeze the air in the plenum. The result: both strangling and freezing.
"Thus I would thank you if the temperature in the Knesset could be maintained at no lower than 22-24 degrees and I would appreciate if you could find an alternative solution to the freezing of the plenum in a way that will allow for appropriate cross-ventilation and will cast aside the inappropriate and inhumane solution of freezing the plenum.
I am certain that the creative and innovative spirit that flows through your veins will ensure finding suitable solutions to the problems that I have addressed.
From woman to woman, a day after IWD, Yulia, I really must thank you. Thank you for reducing the role of the woman to the stereotypical "ooh, its cold in here". Thank you for implying that to be appropriately elegant, I come outfitted in skirts and high heels. Thank you for belittling the true importance of a day meant to raise awareness of the difficulties facing women in the modern world, and of choosing to highlight such an important issue as opposed to truly less-significant topics such as pay gaps, glass ceilings, and "family honor killings".
And thank you, as always, your invaluable effort in reinforcing negative stereotypes regarding the abilities, considerations and concerns of female parliamentarians.
"Although well dressed men here are found in suits, which maintain their body heat and their status, the accepted dress code expected of us, women, includes an elegant appearance that frequently involves skirts, dresses, high heels, and so forth."
"I was surprised to discover that some committee chairman demand that the ushers not raise the thermostat in committee rooms and I was not aware that their authority included veto power regarding temperature in hearing rooms."
"According to the Electric Company, the recommended temperature for the public in buildings in order to maintain reasonable electric use is between 22-24 degrees, winter and summer. Maintaining this temperature range in the Knesset will not merely help ensure the health of those who visit, but will also save a fortune in public funds."
According to an independent poll that I carried out in the Knesset, it seems that this phenomenon is not unique to me. Many members of Knesset, male as well as female, share my feelings and are forced to dress in a warmer, heavier and bulkier manner."
"From one issue to another on the same subject: The plenum hall suffers from a lack of ventilation and unpleasant compacting (?) of air. The feeling is one of sitting in a sealed and unventilated room. It seems that in an attempt to rectify the lack of ventilation, those in charge choose to freeze the air in the plenum. The result: both strangling and freezing.
"Thus I would thank you if the temperature in the Knesset could be maintained at no lower than 22-24 degrees and I would appreciate if you could find an alternative solution to the freezing of the plenum in a way that will allow for appropriate cross-ventilation and will cast aside the inappropriate and inhumane solution of freezing the plenum.
I am certain that the creative and innovative spirit that flows through your veins will ensure finding suitable solutions to the problems that I have addressed.
From woman to woman, a day after IWD, Yulia, I really must thank you. Thank you for reducing the role of the woman to the stereotypical "ooh, its cold in here". Thank you for implying that to be appropriately elegant, I come outfitted in skirts and high heels. Thank you for belittling the true importance of a day meant to raise awareness of the difficulties facing women in the modern world, and of choosing to highlight such an important issue as opposed to truly less-significant topics such as pay gaps, glass ceilings, and "family honor killings".
And thank you, as always, your invaluable effort in reinforcing negative stereotypes regarding the abilities, considerations and concerns of female parliamentarians.
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Go New Model Mommy! This post totally encapsulates what is so wrong with the Israeli women's movement. The Women of the Israeli Bar Association recently had an event which involved a runway show with models in bikinis (some of them also lawyers). Is this what we drained the swamps for? Is this what Golda left her beloved kibbutz to achieve? What we need in this country is some Riot Grrrl circa 1996 sensibility. It might be kitschy but it would be an improvement.
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