The flow of information surrounding ongoing coalition negotiations continues, with very little being confirmed by the actual parties involved. Maariv reports that it is “in the know” and despite the veil of mystery surrounding the status of talks between Likud/Beitenu, Bayit Yehuda and Yesh Atid, the guidelines for the new coalition have been formed and agreed upon.
The partners have agreed that all schools in Israel will be compelled to include the so-called ‘core subjects’ in the curriculum, which refers to mathematics, the sciences and English. This was agreed upon by all involved according to the report. Actually, according to Maariv’s version, the only remaining “stumbling block” to signing the deal is Yair Lapid’s insistence on becoming the next foreign minister, a position Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has indicated would remain in the Likud/Beitenu family.
Likud officials quoted anonymously add that Wednesday’s announcement that Yesh Atid was canceling talks over disagreement regarding the size of the cabinet was nothing more than media hype because the parties have agreed on a number. They insist it is all about Lapid’s desire to get the Foreign Ministry post, addding “after all his lofty speeches of changing for the good of the nation, it all comes down to his insistence on getting that senior cabinet appointment. That is what is holding up the deal. There is a limit just how much one can squeeze the lemon! He got what he wanted in the major issues. That’s it. We are done! It’s over!”
The prime minister and Yisrael Beitenu leader Avigdor Lieberman on Wednesday 24 Adar 5773 received a boost for their deal in which Mr. Netanyahu is holding the foreign minister appointment pending the outcome of Lieberman’s fraud trial. Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein gave his legal opinion, supporting the deal, explaining there is no reason the prime minister cannot hold the cabinet post should he decide to do so. Some sought Weinstein’s opinion as they were confident he would disqualify the deal between Lieberman and the prime minister.
Yesh Atid officials tell a different story however, insisting the delay does not surround Lapid’s wish to become foreign minister but the dispute is about core issues including the maximum size of the new cabinet. They explain that with the realization the national government must call on citizens to tighten their belts, realizing spending must be cut. They feel the first place to set an example is the government. Yesh Atid insists it will not permit continuing with an inflated cabinet as has been the case in recent years. In his election campaign, Lapid stated he would not be part of any government that includes ministers-without-portfolio.
Regarding the post of foreign minister, Yesh Atid officials explain “no one has made a counter office. They simply say ‘you will not be foreign minister’. They have not stated what cabinet post Lapid may receive.”
Political analysts feel that the Foreign Ministry appointment is indeed a non-starter for a number of reasons, including the Netanyahu/Lieberman deal in addition to the fact that Lapid lacks the most basic experience in Knesset and appointing him foreign minister would border on the absurd.
The feeling is that he will eventually agree to become minister of the interior, which has final authority on accepting non-frum conversions and other matters that may impact the future Jewish character of the state.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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9 Responses
“Math, Science & English in All Schools”
It is shocking that this would be a matter for debate. Charedi schools all over the world teach math and science, and English in English speaking countries.
Lapid had said that he was going to have gemara taught in the secular schools. Is that going to happen?
Interesting them agreeing what will be taught in schools their children don’t attend. However this is probably a pretext for asserting that parents who don’t teach English, math and sciences are neglecting their children, and can be punished accordingly. Those hareidim who have happily taken the government money may be quite unprepared for the “new order” in which he who has been paying the fiddler will start to call the tune.
It should be noted that this would clearly violate the United Nations convention on children’s rights, which states a right for parents to control their children’s education – which Israel has ratified.
It would be nice if the hilonim backed down, but so far they are giving every indication of planning to play hardball in their crusade against the Torah community.
How is this not a good thing? Chazal, the Rishonim, the Gr”A etc…all studied math and science and felt that it brought them closer to Hashem. Are we so much holier than them?
Hate to be controversial, but this is actual “good” news.
Why is my son discriminated against simply because he is a chareidi male in a chareidi school?
Beis Yaakov girls learn English, math and science.
Boys in most Chinuch HaAtzmai schools also learn this.
But my son in a typical Israeli chareidi cheder isn’t allowed to learn English and science?
(For the record, all Israeli chedarim teach math until at least grade 8).
I told my oldest son who aspires to become a rosh yeshiva someday that even if he works in melachas hakodesh, he’ll need to know English so he could fund raise.
Really not much new in terms of demands for secular studies.
Various government agencies and courts have repeatedly made this demand.
#2 – I can’t wait to see the complaint to the UN about the evil Zionists who are teaching children math, science and English. You crack me up – you really do.
mathematics, the sciences and English
Math and Science can be taught through Chumash and Navi. and English is a useful language to be taught.
What is taught in Chadorim in Eretz Yisroel is decided upon by Gedolei Yisroel not Lapid and not Bennet nor any one else.
If Hilonim and otheres think they will succead in forcing Chadorim to have a curriculum that Gedolei yisroel are opposed to then they are nuts.
(For the record, all Israeli chedarim teach math until at least grade 8).
Beis Yaakov girls learn English, math and science (and historia etc.)
Boys in most Chinuch HaAtzmai schools also learn this.
Shas’ Maayan schools teach even more subjects.
(#1
Your immoral [3 chamuros] views here and and on other sites convey that there can be nothing to discuss with you.)
#4
You could’ve sent him to a Chinuch Atzmai
You chose to send him there, you wanted a more elite school.
Yesh Atid knows this well.
They are going after the schools that produce the elite of the chareidi world.