New unity government marks significant milestones for women, minorities.
The new government has 29 female lawmakers, including the first hijab-
wearing MK and the first Ethiopian-born government minister.
After nearly a year and a half of political deadlock, Israel’s 35th government was
sworn in on Sunday. The new government includes some firsts for the Jewish state,
including the first Ethiopian-born female minister and the first hijab-wearing Knesset
member.
While the record for the highest number of female MKs belongs to the 20th Knesset
with 35 women serving as lawmakers, the 23rd Knesset has 29 female MKs, making
up nearly a quarter of the 120 seats in the Knesset.
Attorney and former journalist Pnina Tamano-Shata (Blue and White) is the first
Ethiopian-born Israeli government minister and the first female Ethiopian member of
the Knesset.
She immigrated to Israel at the age of three with her family via the Mossad airlift
Operation Moses, and grew up in Petah Tikvah. On Sunday, she was sworn in as
the Minister of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption.
By Lauren Marcus, World Israel News
New unity government and minorities.
