Less than a week before the Israeli election, a Jewish ultra-Orthodox women’s party has entered the race, challenging traditional beliefs about the role of women in society.

B’Zchutan, which means “Thanks to them” in Hebrew and refers to women who have challenged the status quo, is putting forward nine candidates for the 210-seat Knesset in the ballot on March 17.

It wants ultra-Orthodox women to have the same rights as secular women, including better access to employment and education.

“We want to give women more support, a real person to turn to inside the Knesset. So women would know there is an answer. The State of Israel has failed to protect the Haredi (Orthodox) women,” said the B’Zchutan party leader, Ruth Colian.

Noa Erez, another candidate on the B’Zchutan list, added:
“We chose to represent the unheard voice of Orthodox women. Ultra Orthodox women suffer from violence, suffer from discrimination and nobody cares.”

Campaigning in Beit Shemesh, a town 35 kilometres w