Peer-Reviewed Publications

"Less Power, More Gender Legislation: Women in the Israeli Knesset" forthcoming Politics, Groups, and Identities

Abstract: Why do women legislators propose gender-related legislation? Is it individual policy preferences or limitations on their legislative agendas? In this mixed methods paper, I hypothesize that as ambitious parliament members gain seniority they will increasingly focus on policies they view as more prestigious and less likely to support niche issues, like gender issues. My analysis of an original dataset of Israeli legislation finds that women are more likely to propose gender-related legislation and less likely to propose non-gender related legislation as they gain seniority. To understand these results, I then analyze a second dataset of legislation as well as conduct a qualitative case study consisting of semi-structured interviews with legislative aides. My qualitative data shows that although Knesset members support women's issues, they do not view them as electorally advantageous and consider working on national security policy as their ultimate political goal. Despite finding that women do propose legislation on women’s issues, I show that this is likely a result of marginalization and limited opportunities.

"Navigating Contentious Identities: Minority Women in Israeli Politics" forthcoming Journal of Race, Ethnicity, and Politics

Abstract: This paper explores diversifying legislatures within a context of ethnonationalism, populism, and democratic erosion. Although diversity and inclusion are often viewed as symbols of democratization research increasingly challenges this. In fact, diversity and inclusion can occur in tandem with democratic erosion – how so? How do minorities navigate hostile environments? To answer this question I analyze how women politicians with intersecting identities strategically use their gendered and racialized identities. I conduct a qualitative study of four different women politicians in the Israeli Knesset - Miri Regev of Jewish Mizrahi [Moroccan] descent, Pnina Tamano-Shata of Jewish Ethiopian descent, Merav Michaeli of Jewish Ashkenazi [European] descent, and Aida Touma-Sliman a Palestinian-Israeli. I find that women will highlight the aspects of their identities that they believe will benefit them the most, resulting in their promotion of ethnonational divisions and reducing opportunities for solidarity among minority populations.  

 "The Status Quo and the Feminization of Political Alternatives,” Israel Studies Review Journal, Vol. 34:1

Abstract: The Oslo Peace Process has effectively stalled and failed. More recently, Palestinian Authority President Abbas stated that the PA is no longer bound by past agreements and has sought to bypass direct negotiation with Israel. Simultaneously, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is leading an increasingly right wing coalition since his third consecutive reelection in 2015. I show that by positioning the Oslo process and any political and civic forces involved with it as tainted by irrational and emotional weakness, neo-con figures and institutions within Israel have successfully argued for a re-masculinized Israeli security paradigm.  In this configuration, the process of cooperation and acknowledgement of Palestinian claims is viewed as a weak and reprehensible action while aggressive military strategies, deterrence, and demanding Palestinian unequivocal acceptance of Israel’s terms is perceived as rational and responsible action that protects Israeli interests. By conflating security with the state, Israeli political leaders perpetuate the conflict rather than resolve it.  

“Rejecting the “Deal of the Century” – A Reflection of Millennial Attitudes,” Palestine-Israel Journal, Vol. 25 No.1 May 2020

The relationship between the state of Israel and Jewish Americans is changing. These shifts are particularly apparent among Jewish-American millennials who are relatively informed about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and also critical of Israeli policy. I define "millennial" as an individual bom between the early 1980s and late 1990s, based on existing research on millennial politics (Rouse and Ross, 2018). Despite the ink that has been shed and the incessant hand-wringing about the decline of the American Jewish community, particularly among younger Jews, there is little evidence that such dire predictions have come to pass. Rather than the historically persistent straw man of "assimilation," it appears that younger Jews are endeavoring to reimagine and reinvigorate Jewish community and identity in ways that better suit their needs and circumstances. The vision of Jewish community espoused by younger Jews focuses on inclusivity and social justice, and many younger Jews hold leftist, progressive political views. Their political inclinations and perception of Jewish identity and community inform their critical attitudes towards U.S. policy on Israel.

Selected Works

Articles:
In my manuscript analyzing the case of Argentina “Moving Ahead: Strategy, Advancement, and Variation in Women’s Legislative Agenda in the Argentine Legislature”, I show that when women’s presence in the legislature is normalized, there is a high proportion of women over a lengthy period of time, their legislative behavior resembles men. They are therefore less likely to increase their advocacy for women’s issues later on in their career. My research contributes empirical models and theory that bridge comparative politics and gender studies, offering new insight into the politics that underscore women’s rights in the global south. 
In “Does Marginalization Explain Women’s Substantive Representation?” (invited for resubmission to the European Journal of Politics and Gender), I ask: why do women specialize in legislation on women’s issues? I use the Israel case study to show that as women gain seniority, their co-sponsorship generally decreases. In fact, senior women are only sought after for co-sponsorship by junior women on gender-related legislation. As a result, this is one of the policy areas in which women can pursue change, even if they are not interested in being experts in the area.

Book Manuscript:

In my new book manuscript ‘Palestinian Women in National and Local Politics in Israel’ I ask how can we explain the small yet significant increases of Palestinian women in Israeli politics in the past few decades? Especially given the political conditions of democratic erosion, extremism, and ethnonational populism within which this is occurring. Due to the small numbers of Palestinian women in Israeli politics, I conduct a qualitative study, interviewing political party activists, civil organization leaders, Palestinian academics, and women politicians at the national and local level. I find that recent increases of Palestinian women in politics are primarily due to significant and costly efforts by civil organizations. However, Palestinian political parties remain largely ambivalent about including women politicians and mobilizing women. This is despite growing right wing trends within Israeli politics that have necessitated social cohesion among Palestinians. 

Working Papers