Barbra Streisand calls Orthodox Jews' treatment of women "distressing"

Barbra Streisand condemned the treatment of women by Orthodox Jews while receiving an honorary doctorate in philosophy from Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Israel on Monday.

"It's distressing to read about women in Israel being forced to sit in the back of a bus or ... having metal chairs hurled at them when they intend to peacefully and legally pray," Streisand said. "Or women being banned from singing in public ceremonies."

The "Funny Girl" star meant to support the recent protests by feminist groups that insist that women should be allowed to pray next to men at the Western Wall, a place where men have gone for centuries to worship and read from the Torah.

"I know that solutions don't come easy," Streisand added. "And they don't in the United States, where women are still making 80 cents for every dollar that a man makes."

In addition to picking up her PhD in philosophy, Streisand is scheduled to perform two concerts in Tel Aviv as well as to sing at Israeli President Shimon Peres' birthday party during her visit.