Education Budget Shift Favors West Bank Settlements Over Israeli Periphery
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
Israel's Ministry of Education has shifted funds, increasing per-student education budgets in West Bank settlements by an average of 1,213 shekels, while reducing them for students in the northern and southern peripheries. This change, driven by an expanded security funding track, disproportionately benefits State Religious schools over general and Arab education sectors. The Ministry stated the funding aims to support schools in difficult geographic or security locations.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Education budget increased for West Bank settlement students by 1,213 shekels on average.
- Northern Israeli students saw an average decrease of 570 shekels per student.
- Southern Israeli students experienced a reduction of 232 shekels per student.
- A security track expansion added 33 settlements, mostly in Judea and Samaria, to increased funding.
- State Religious education saw the largest per-student increase, while general and Arab education saw decreases.
- Ministry of Education claims funding supports schools in difficult geographic or security locations.
A recent decision by the Israeli Ministry of Education has led to a significant reallocation of funds, increasing the education budget for students in West Bank settlements while decreasing it for students in Israel's geographic periphery. This shift, revealed by "Seven" and Channel 12 News, contradicts official statements about reducing gaps and promoting equal opportunities.
The government increased the per-student investment in Judea and Samaria by an average of 1,213 shekels. Conversely, students in the north saw an average decrease of 570 shekels per student, and those in the south experienced a reduction of 232 shekels per student.
This change stems from an expansion approximately 18 months ago of a security track that provides additional funding to high schools. Thirty-three settlements, predominantly in Judea and Samaria, were added to this track. The funding provided through this track is the highest available, irrespective of student numbers or the school's distance from the country's center.
Further analysis by the Mano-Israel Policy Research and Action Center highlights disparities across different educational streams. For the 2025/26 school year, the average per-student increase in the Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) education sector was 126 shekels, and 124 shekels in the State Religious sector. In contrast, the general State education sector saw a decrease of 74 shekels per student, and the State Arab education sector experienced a drop of 308 shekels per student.
Consequently, the previous school year's per-student funding in State Religious education averaged 1,888 shekels, more than triple that of the general State education sector. The State Arab education sector received 1,298 shekels per student, and the Haredi sector received 440 shekels. The Mano Center noted that the lower allocation for Haredi students is partly because only about 6% of Haredi institutions meet the eligibility criteria, such as preparation for matriculation exams.
The Ministry of Education stated that it provides supplementary funding to small schools facing difficulties due to their peripheral geographic location or security threats, enabling them to offer a diverse range of subjects and programs comparable to schools in other parts of the country.
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