I asked a Rabbi why Orthodox Jews separate men and women in synagogues and at the Western Wall. He said its basically so men are not distracted by their natural attraction to women. The idea is that the men should focus on their prayers and not the pretty lady next to them.

I don't see this as inherently sexist (its not done because women are inferior to men) though its not my cup of tea.

FREEDA WRITES: "I also think it is amusing that many make a big deal about the head coverings worn by Muslim women when we are not *also* attacking the sexist, patriarchal controls forced on women throughout this country in the form of dress and grooming standards in the workplace."

First, you assume I have not spoken out about the prejudice against women if they do not wear make-up, have their hair styled, or dress in some different, expensive clothing every day in the workplace. I am a long-time feminist, have read Naomi Wolf's excellent book "The Beauty Myth" in which she explains how the whole diet industry, and plastic surgery are built on women's bodies ---and by shaming women for how their bodies are naturally.

But you have changed the subject completely. The issue I raised is to rate the treatment of women living either under Jewish law or Israeli law, against women living in countries in which Islam and sharia are the law.

Yes, being forced to cover up large parts of your body, as though it is too terrible to be seen with the human eye, in extremely hot countries, and under penalty of law IS a big deal. In Saudia Arabia a few years back, a fire at a girls dormitory resulted in a number of deaths of the girls when they ran out of the burning building without their head coverings, AND WERE SENT BACK INTO THE FIRE !!

I'm sorry, but I don't find anything about forcing women to wear the hijab is "amusing."

STEVE'S weak argument vaunted in his title but completely unsupported in his commentary contained this gem:

"In addition, in a racist manner, she likes to somehow link the anti-woman crimes of pro-imperialist capitalist countries like Nigeria, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt to the Palestinian people."

I was talking about Islam vs Judaism,and how women's lives compare under each system, Steve.

The common thread, in all the countries you named, is they are primarily Islamic countries.
If this makes me a racist for pointing it out, then you have a funny definition of what a racist is.

My usual criticism is that Steve Argue and others spend a disproportionate time condeming Israel at every bend and turn, while ignoring much more egregious human rights violations taking place in Islamic countries.