The toxic reactions to MK Zvi Sukkot's tweet were expected. We've gotten used to the gallons of poison spilled on social media. Sukkot wrote "Festivals for Joy," and added a photo showing him, his wife Chaya and MK Simcha Rothman. What was surprising was that most of the fire was snatched alive, and not because of anything she wrote or said - but only because of the handkerchief on her head.
If it were a one-time, local hateful comment, it would be worth leaving. Why engage in hatred? But the matter is not specific. The ridicule and harassment of women who wear headscarves is increasing. In recent months, women wearing handkerchiefs have been kidnapped in Tel Aviv, and not only there, spitting and shouting "come home" - on the basis of their clothing alone.
But if we're being honest, that's nothing new either. I mean, the blatant attacks do, but the stigmas behind them don't. As someone who has been wearing a handkerchief for many years, and who chooses to fulfill this mitzvah voluntarily, day after day, year after year, I can tell you that there is a price to it, and I don't mean the tick on the chip.
A woman wearing a handkerchief who enters a room where men and women from across Israeli society are forced to defend herself. It must first of all fight the stigma that it is controlled and has no rights. In a world where women do so much at home and abroad, a woman who covers her head must show with signs and wonders that she is an independent and sovereign woman.
The second prejudice that accompanies women wearing a handkerchief is that they are not educated. The doctorates held by my friends, or the fact that they lead high-tech teams, won't help – they will always have a duty of proof, and at the end of the conversation wonder will appear in their eyes: Walla, she actually said words of wisdom. Add to these the automatic framing of political perceptions. You have a handkerchief - you are on the right, probably extremist, live in a settlement and have many children. I really appreciate the residents of Judea and Samaria, but I've never lived in a settlement. And you know what? Don't women think differently? Surprise! Women who wear a handkerchief don't think uniformly either.
Over the past year, prejudice has turned into displays of hatred. Part of the problem lies in the fact that there are not enough such women in our Israeli-public space. There are not enough female journalists wearing handkerchiefs on the small screen, not enough lecturers, panelists or ceremonial facilitators.
The ridicule and harassment of women who wear headscarves is increasing. In recent months, women wearing handkerchiefs have been kidnapped in Tel Aviv, and not only there, spitting and shouting "come home" - based solely on their clothing
Remember when Lenore Abergel led the torch-lighting ceremony a few years ago? At the time, retired judge Oded Eligon wrote: "I tried to watch the ceremony, after a minute I escaped - the presenter is wearing a high-rise dressing on her head." Yes, the host chose differently than your wife would, which is a reason to avoid watching the ceremony. How democratic and enlightened. And anyway, you wouldn't dare write about a woman's revealing attire - so why are comments about the dress of a religious woman okay?
In a world that purports to respect women, there should be room for their entire scale of choices. From standing behind a partition, continuing to watch a movie separately, to wearing a handkerchief, however tall. Yes, this is exactly what respect for the other means, that is, for the other.
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