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Israeli Religious Papers Have Issues on Covering Likely New Prime Minister

By Howard M. Friedman

The New York Daily News reported last week on an unusual issue of press coverage created by Israel?s Haredi (ultra orthodox Jewish) newspapers. The newspapers never publish photos of women, citing concerns relating to religious modesty. The rule will continue to be applied to Tzipi Livni who has been chosen to become the country?s new prime minister, if she can put a coalition together. Haredi papers blur the faces of women when they are in photos used for other purposes. In addition, the Haredi papers will not use the first name, "Tzipi", that Livni uses. It is short for "Tziporah". Haredi will not address a woman by her first name, especially if it is a nickname. So these papers will refer to the potential Prime Minister as "Mrs. T. Livni" or just "Mrs. Livni." [Thanks to Religion and State in Israel for the lead.]

Full post as published by Religion Clause on October 01, 2008 (boomark / email).