Religious Zionism demands Likud agree to not join Istanbul Convention on domestic violence

The coalition agreement signed between Religious Zionism and Likud includes a demand that Israel not become a party to the Istanbul Convention designed to battle violence against women, according to Hebrew media reports.

Previously, Israeli politicians have lobbied the government to join the landmark 2011 treaty. Outgoing Justice Minister Gideon Sa’ar has pushed for Israel to join the international treaty, but outgoing Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked halted efforts due to concerns over clauses granting political asylum to international victims of domestic violence.

The 2011 Istanbul Convention, signed by 45 countries and the European Union, requires governments to adopt legislation prosecuting domestic violence and similar abuse, as well as marital rape and female genital mutilation.