Education Network Directors Join Political Campaign, Sparking Controversy
Translated & summarized from Zman Yisrael by baba
Elchanan Galat, director of a religious education network, joined a Likud-affiliated campaign to boost right-wing votes, claiming his involvement is personal and doesn't impact his job. Critics argue this violates regulations prohibiting political activity by education officials and risks indoctrinating students. The article highlights past instances of education leaders mobilizing voters and questions the selective enforcement of rules by the Ministry of Education.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Education network directors have joined a campaign to maximize right-wing votes, sparking controversy.
- Galat claims his political activity is voluntary and separate from his professional duties.
- Critics cite regulations prohibiting political involvement by education officials.
- Concerns exist about potential indoctrination of students by these directors.
- Past actions by education leaders show a history of mobilizing voters for political parties.
Elchanan Galat, Director General of the Bnei Akiva Yeshivot and Ulpanot Center, has joined a campaign called V26, established by senior Likud activists to maximize votes for the right-wing bloc in upcoming elections. Galat stated that individuals, including educators, have the right to engage in societal activities during their personal time, asserting his involvement is voluntary, outside work hours, and driven by a commitment to Israel's Jewish and Zionist character. He emphasized that this activity does not affect his professional role.
However, the article argues that Galat's claim of non-interference is misleading, citing a 2009 directive that prohibits education officials from holding active roles in political parties or participating in public election campaigns. The directive specifically bars school principals from being part of a party's active management and from engaging in public propaganda for Knesset elections.
The piece further contends that Galat and Yanki Friedman, Director General of the Noam-Tzvia education network, who also joined V26, are likely to influence students within their respective networks. Past actions support this concern; in October 2022, Yehuda Wald, Director General of the Religious Zionism party, announced a directive to school and preparatory academy heads to mobilize right-wing voters. Friedman himself stated he joined efforts to strengthen the "religious Zionist" sector ahead of elections.
The article criticizes the enthusiastic willingness of Galat and Friedman to blend state-funded education with active party politics, suggesting it opens the door to violations of election laws, beyond the breach of civil service regulations. It draws a distinction between fostering political awareness and civic engagement, which is encouraged, and partisan indoctrination within the state education system. The author notes that the Ministry of Education under Minister Yoav Kisch has selectively summoned educators for questioning over their political expressions, often without legal basis, while teachers are permitted to express political views outside the classroom.
The piece concludes by questioning whether Galat and Friedman will face similar scrutiny and suggests that the challenge is to promote political literacy without indoctrination, while also maintaining a clear moral line that keeps certain extreme views, such as support for armed struggle against the state or racist ideologies, out of schools.