Israeli Education Ministry Probes Teachers' Union Over Alleged False Membership Claims Amid Dispute

The Israeli Education Ministry is considering halting the transfer of millions of shekels to the Teachers' Union amid suspicions that around 2,000 teachers were falsely registered as union members. This investigation is unfolding during an ongoing conflict between Education Minister Yoav Kisch and Teachers' Union Chairman Ran Erez. According to reports, the suspected false registrations involve individuals not actually affiliated with the union.

The ministry emphasizes that the probe began several months ago, prior to the current dispute, which intensified after a court ruling recognized the Teachers' Union as the representative body for middle school teachers. Following this ruling, the ministry updated school principal selection committees to exclude union representatives, prompting Erez to launch a personal campaign against Minister Kisch.

The Education Ministry accused Erez of using threats and political campaigns at the expense of teachers, asserting the minister's commitment to protecting educators, students, and the education system. Meanwhile, the Teachers' Union denied any knowledge of such an investigation, claiming that if it existed, the union would have been informed before the media. The union accused the minister of exploiting his authority to deflect criticism of his performance by initiating unfounded allegations. They stressed that the union operates legally under continuous oversight by the Education Ministry, Finance Ministry, and the Registrar of Associations, with no history of reporting irregularities.