"As rockets flew over Ashdod and red alerts sent people running for shelter, the Ashdod rabbanut had other plans for women. Men went to the [bomb] shelter and were allowed in. Women, on the other hand, were not allowed in. There is actually a sign on the shelter that says "For men only". …"
Above: "In accordance with our rabbis, shelter is for men and boys only" Ashdod bomb shelter sign, November 2012
Elana Sztokman writes:
This really happened: As rockets flew over Ashdod and red alerts sent people running for shelter, the Ashdod rabbanut had other plans for women. Men went to the [bomb] shelter and were allowed in. Women, on the other hand, were not allowed in. There is actually a sign on the shelter that says "For men only". Women were sent to sit in a [rabbinic] courtroom. I kid you not. This was discovered by one of MK Stav Shafir's staffers, who reported it to Yediot and sent an urgent query to the Minister of Religion asking to rectify the situation. Thus far that rabbinic administration claims not to know about it, that it was the initiative of a staffer, and has said that they view this attempt at gender segregation negatively......
This is very wrong but it isn't surprising.
In fact, FailedMessiah.com reported on the illegally gender-segregated Ashdod bomb shelters in November 2012.
It was publicized in Israel at that time, as well.
But no one really seems to be willing to force haredim to obey the law – even if this governmental inaction risks the lives of women and girls.