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For some time The Legal Forum for the Land of Israel has been aware that post-Zionist organizations are working to introduce their values into the national school system.
Several months ago we discovered that Bruria Beker, chair of the national cultural basket for the past 22 years, had been forcing schools to accept anti-Zionist and morally inappropriate materials as part of the cultural basket subsidized by the Ministry of Education. The national cultural basket, with its annual budget of NIS 40 million, is an educational program operating in schools throughout Israel.
The Legal Forum turned to Minister of Education, Gideon Sa'ar, who investigated the matter. Beker was removed from her position and later retired.
As a result, the Ministry of Education has decided to establish a committee to review educational content and ultimately, reform the cultural activities basket. It has also established procedures through which private companies can submit proposals to compete for the management of the basket. And finally, a proper search is underway for a new director.
In a separate incident, the Legal Forum recently learned that an organization calling itself "The Bereaved Families Association" has been giving lectures to 11th and 12th grade students in preparation for their imminent induction to the IDF. In Israel, bereaved families of IDF fallen soldiers carry a unique status and are entitled to special rights and sensitive treatment. However, this organization's full name is the "The Israeli -Palestinian Bereaved Families for Peace", not nearly as educationally or politically innocuous as "The Bereaved Families Association - the Family Circle". Their lectures carry a post-Zionist message, encouraging impressionable high school students to avoid serving in the IDF.
In a letter dated May 17, 2010, the Legal Forum's CEO Nahi Eyal wrote to the Minister of Education outlining the Association's mission statement and detailing its controversial activities which include cooperation with Palestinian civilians during Operation Cast Lead, and meetings with wanted Palestinian terrorists, all in the name of tolerance and conciliation.
Eyal raised the point that "the Ministry of Education must ensure that educational activities held in the school system be in keeping with Israel's Zionist values…" and insisted " that the ministry take a stand forbidding such post-Zionist activities within the schools and requesting school principals not to allow The Bereaved Parents Association into their schools."
Last week, the Legal Forum was notified by Dr. Shimshon Shoshani, Director General of the Ministry of Education, that in response to our letter concerning The Bereaved Parents Association, a special inquiry is now underway to determine which associations are permitted to speak in schools. In addition, educational standards are being developed and must be met by any group wishing to speak in an Israeli school.
