Tensions continue to flare between Education Minister Shai Piron and chareidi MKs in the Knesset Finance Committee. Committee Chairman MK Nissim Slomiansky called on the sides to launch serious dialogue in the hope of reaching some common ground. However, it appears these efforts have failed to date.

Piron stated that the state has not acted fairly concerning the chareidi community and this must be corrected, citing this is not something that can or will be accomplished in a matter of days. He stated it takes time, calling on the chareidi MKs to work with him.

Former Deputy Education Minister Meshulam Nahari and the other chareidi MKs were angry over Piron’s plan to integrate recognized non-official chareidi mosdos into the state system.

Nahari told Piron “I am not against the system’s education, but you are abusing your authority and by lowering the axe on 200,000 children. You are using your position to halt funding as you work to turn the entire system into the state public school system prior to preparing an infrastructure for such a move.”

Piron responded “there is not axe. I aspire to 100% education for all children. The Nahari Law does nothing to enhance public sector education but it assists his [Nahari’s] system. I am not against funding recognized mosdos but I am against infusing funds into a system that takes the funds and hands them over to relatives, funds intended for the children” referring to Shas’ Mayan Chinuch system, which was the subject of a scathing treasury report.

Piron’s remarks were met with anger by Nahari and the two exchanged loud and accusing words.

Adding to the dispute was MK Yaakov Litzman, who told committee members that the public school system is bankrupt; questioning what is being done to address the violence and drugs in those schools.

Litzman advised Piron not to worry about chareidi mosdos and to begin focusing his attention at his system. “Our schools don’t have drugs and violence” Litzman added, “and we do not even need security guards” he concluded.

“From your religious public schools the students head to chareidi schools” he added, seeking to highlight that even in the state religious public schools the situation is substandard.

Piron turned to Litzman stating “While there are problems, the education is not failing. The system produced brave warriors and Nobel Prize laureates and more. You comments are not fitting and I say this as one who deals with chareidi youths who are off the derech”.

MK Moshe Gafne had his turn, adding “I am not opposed to moving us over to the public system but would the minister please be kind enough to explain to me what that means. I educate my children to understand one may not be mechalel Shabbos. If we are in the public system are you willing to include this in the education?”

Piron turned to Litzman and Gafne, calling for continuing dialogue until an agreement is reached.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)