Religious Education Forum Threatens Teacher Layoffs Over Budget Delays

The Religious Education Forum is escalating its protest over delayed budgets for the state-religious education system, announcing it will soon begin laying off hundreds of teachers. For months, educational networks have been using loans and independent funds to cover teacher salaries and educational programs to avoid impacting students. However, with the budget still not released, the forum states its capacity to absorb the shortfall is exhausted.

The forum warned repeatedly that the continued delay would harm teachers and students, and these warnings are now becoming reality. "We cannot continue to employ teachers and fund activities when the state does not transfer the required funds," a spokesperson stated. The forum is demanding that Education Minister Yoav Kisch and senior ministry officials immediately release the budget to end the crisis before the financial damage leads to direct harm to personnel, institutions, and students.