School Year Delayed at Beer Sheva School After Student Assaults Teacher

Classes at Makif Alef School in Beer Sheva began two hours late on Thursday morning, August 31, 2026, as a protest against violence targeting educators. The delay was initiated by the Teachers Union following an incident where a seventh-grade student physically assaulted his homeroom teacher during the first class. The student reportedly punched the teacher and used severe profanity in front of other students. The teacher sustained injuries and required medical attention.

The Teachers Union stated that the incident caused significant distress to the teacher, students, and staff. In response, Dr. Eliezer Vinograd, acting secretary-general of the Teachers Union and head of its Beer Sheva branch, was scheduled to visit the school to hold a briefing with the educational staff. Michael Pinto, head of the Professional Union Department at the Teachers Union, condemned the attack, calling it evidence of a serious failure and emphasizing that educators cannot be held responsible for student discipline and safety while being exposed to violence themselves.

Pinto stressed that the Ministry of Education and school administrations must provide full backing to teachers and implement measures to create a real deterrent. He asserted that the Teachers Union will not allow violence against educators to become an accepted reality. Dr. Vinograd echoed these sentiments, stating that the physical assault and verbal abuse crossed a red line and that it is unacceptable for a teacher to end their workday injured. He affirmed the union's commitment to supporting the teacher and school staff, vowing to work resolutely to ensure their safety and dignity and to combat violence and threats against educational personnel.