Israeli Teachers' Union Head Threatens School Strike Over Unpaid Day Amid Iran Attack Dispute

Ran Erez, chairman of the Israeli Secondary School Teachers Organization, has threatened not to open the next school year unless teachers are paid for June 8, when classes were canceled due to Iranian missile attacks on Israel. Erez argues teachers worked remotely via Zoom that day and should not lose pay. He criticized Education Minister Yoav Kisch and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, accusing Kisch of failing in his duties and both ministers of poor coordination within the government.

Erez also highlighted broader unresolved issues in education, including cuts to special education, canceled tenders, school violence, lack of tools to meet AI-related ministry demands, and teacher shortages. The Finance Ministry’s payroll supervisor ordered salary deductions for teachers who did not conduct physical classes on the day of the attacks unless they took unpaid leave.

The Education Ministry distanced itself from the pay cut decision, blaming the Finance Ministry and condemning Erez’s conduct. The ministry stated that Kisch had clearly ruled out expecting teachers to switch to remote learning on short notice and supports teachers’ position. It accused Erez of repeated threats and disruptive tactics that harm students and education continuity. The ministry warned any strike would prompt immediate legal action to enforce the existing binding wage agreement.