IDF Data Links Dozens of Teachers to Terror Support, Details Destroyed by Attorney General's Order

Israeli lawmaker Amit Halevi from the Likud party revealed in a podcast interview that a security cross-check between the Ministry of Education and the Shin Bet identified dozens of teachers flagged for potential support of terrorism. However, the personal details of these individuals were destroyed following instructions from Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara.

Halevi explained that he initiated the investigation by requesting the Shin Bet to match over 200,000 teachers' ID numbers against their security files to detect any suspicious links. Although the Attorney General initially opposed the move citing privacy laws, she eventually approved the check on the condition that all data be erased afterward.

The results alarmed Halevi, who described the findings as a "ticking bomb" and a critical security threat, emphasizing that the state underestimates the foundational risks by misidentifying the enemy. When Halevi inquired about actions taken against the flagged teachers, a Shin Bet representative confirmed that the information was destroyed as per the Attorney General's directive.

Halevi expressed shock at this response, highlighting the danger of allowing individuals suspected of nurturing terrorism to continue teaching without consequences. This disclosure raises concerns about balancing privacy rights with national security in Israel's education system.

The Attorney General's decision to order data destruction despite the security implications remains a contentious issue, with Halevi warning of the potential risks posed by ignoring such intelligence.