Ayelet Levi

Research Associate

[email protected]

Ayelet Levi holds an MA in Middle Eastern and African studies from Tel Aviv University. She is an analyst for Middle Eastern affairs at the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a guest writer in the periodicals of The Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies (MDC) – “Ifriqiya” and “Middle East Crossroads”.

Ayelet’s final paper for MA focused on Civil Society in North Africa. Her Ph.D. dissertation will focus on culture and politics in Morocco.

Her research in The Forum for Regional Thinking focuses on The Maghreb Countries, primarily Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria, with special focus on social and cultural issues (e.g. Gender, Language, Youth or patterns of protest).

The Festival Season in Morocco

Ayelet Levi|05.10.2019

In recent months, dramatic changes took place in the Maghreb: The Tunisian President, Essebsi, passed...

In recent months, dramatic changes took place in the Maghreb: The Tunisian President, Essebsi, passed away, forcing a new election that is preoccupying the active and turbulent political scene in the country. In Algeria, mass demonstrations continue even after the removal from power of President...

Ayelet Levi|05.10.2019

The Arab World Debates Women’s Service in the Military

Ayelet Levi|30.10.2018

A Moroccan ministerial council recently approved the draft of a law mandating compulsory military service;...

A Moroccan ministerial council recently approved the draft of a law mandating compulsory military service; if approved, the law would result in the recruitment of millions of youth in the kingdom (between the ages of 19-25) who will serve in its military for a year....

Ayelet Levi|30.10.2018

Burkini or bikini?

Ayelet Levi|21.08.2018

Last month, an online campaign launched in Morocco with the hashtag #be_a_man ”( كن_رجلا #...

Last month, an online campaign launched in Morocco with the hashtag #be_a_man ”( كن_رجلا # ). The message, shared mostly on Islamist Facebook pages, was that men should not allow their wives and daughters to wear tight-fitting clothes in public. This included dressing modestly at...

Ayelet Levi|21.08.2018

Islamic feminism: The case of Morocco

Ayelet Levi|26.05.2018

In early May, some 7,000 women sat the public notary test ( ma’dhoun shara’i or...

In early May, some 7,000 women sat the public notary test ( ma’dhoun shara’i or adoul ,) throughout Morocco. This was a historic first time in which women were permitted to apply for the public position in the kingdom, until recently reserved for men alone....

Ayelet Levi|26.05.2018

Book Fairs in the Arab World: Between Culture and Politics

Ayelet Levi|26.03.2018

In recent decades, book fairs in the Arab world have become a tradition. Two months...

In recent decades, book fairs in the Arab world have become a tradition. Two months ago, the 29th Cairo International Book Fair was held in the Egyptian capital, which hosts every year masses of Egyptians as well as guests, mostly from Arab countries. This year,...

Ayelet Levi|26.03.2018

Security or Politics behind Morocco Burqa Ban?

Ayelet Levi|08.02.2017

In early 2017, a senior official in Morocco’s Ministry of Interior gave an anonymous interview...

In early 2017, a senior official in Morocco’s Ministry of Interior gave an anonymous interview to a local news website in which he declared that the ministry was taking steps to ban all import, manufacturing and marketing of the ‘burqa’ – a traditional Islamic garment...