[VIDEO IN EXTENDED ARTICLE]

Education Minister Naftali Bennett on Monday 22 Iyar was asked if there is truth to the rumor that the regulation demanding the introduction of core subjects in chareidi schools is being eliminated is true. Bennett, who was a member of the coalition that backed the regulation compelling the teaching of so-called ‘core subjects’ in chareidi schools stated he would never agree to eliminating this regulation however this appears to be on the agenda today.

Bennett responded “I would like to take a moment to speak from my heart. Do you know what the first thing I did as Minister of Education?” Listen carefully. When Yesh Atid was in the coalition, in charge of the treasury and education, listen to what you did. You offered camp programs during the summer vacation and this is wonderful. But you discriminated against someone because he is inferior to the others. Another person, another tzibur in Israel which is second rate in the eyes of Yesh Atid. It is not the non-frum, not the Arabs and not the Circassians or the dati leumi community. It was the chareidim. Why in the name of Hashem did Yair Lapid decide that a six-year-old child cannot attend summer camp?”

Bennett added “My policy regarding chareidim is the opposite. First of all, I began by picking up the broken pieces that remain from the last administration and nurse them. One who believes a ten-kilogram hammer will do the trick is mistaken. The Prime Minister signed a coalition agreement with the chareidim and we stand by this”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)