Comments on Brandow's "ideology, myth, and reality: Sex equality in Israel"

Brandow's claim that the myth of equality between the sexes in Israel is alive, while in fact equality is nonexistent, is critically reviewed. Brandow's work is seen as problematic in its methodology and in its representation of the extensive research conducted on equality in Israel. On the basis of the available data, the present authors provide more information about the themes touched upon in Brandow's article. The duality of religious and secualr values and legislation, occupational status of women, women's education, the military role of women, and the role division between wives and husbands are presented and discussed. The conclusion is that the area of equality of the sexes in Israel is marked by continuous gains in societal balance.