Women carved their names deep into the political history books this season, sweeping through recent legislative elections in Israel and midterm showdowns in the United States with unprecedented numbers. Across both democracies, shifting political landscapes opened doors wider than ever before for female leadership.

In Israel, the newly inaugurated Knesset welcomed 33 women to its benches—capturing 27.5% of the 120 total seats. While mid-term parliamentary shifts have occasionally nudged total female representation higher in the past, this marks the highest debut of elected women coming straight out of a general election.

This historic wave was predominantly propelled by Israel’s anti-Netanyahu opposition coalition, often dubbed the "Change Bloc." Nearly 70% of all female lawmakers elected to the new parliament belong to center-left and opposition parties like Yeshar and Beyahad. Notably, advocacy groups pointed out a stunning milestone: three distinct Israeli political parties crossed the threshold of having half or more of their elected rosters composed of women. Conversely, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ruling Likud party lagged behind, with women making up fewer than 15% of its legislative winners.

Across the Atlantic, American women also rewrote the record books. According to data from the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP) at Rutgers University, the next US Congress is set to feature a historic high of at least 159 women serving across both chambers.

The breakthrough in the US was anchored by a surge in the House of Representatives, where female representation is projected to eclipse 31%. Driven largely by Democratic candidates, the House will cross a major psychological threshold with more than 100 Democratic women seated concurrently. Gubernatorial races mirrored this momentum: at least 17 states will now be led by female governors, pushing women into over a third of all state executive offices nationwide.

Beyond raw numbers, the US midterms delivered a cascade of monumental "firsts." Analysts celebrated milestones including the election of Georgia’s first Black female governor, New Mexico’s first Native American female governor, and Minnesota’s first Native American female U.S. senator, alongside a historic trio of Black women serving simultaneously in the Senate.

While political analysts and gender equality advocates caution that true parity remains a distant horizon, the message from both continents is clear: a new era of political leadership has decisively taken root.

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]