New Coalition Demands Education Reform Ahead of Israel's 2026 Elections

A coalition of local leaders, school principals, researchers, parents, and students has formed to rescue Israel's public education system amid ongoing crises. They highlight declining student achievements, growing teacher shortages, widening gaps between central and peripheral regions and education streams, rising youth violence, and eroding public trust in the system. The group demands equitable funding, comprehensive core curricula for all students, investment in teaching staff, and qualified candidates for the education minister role.

The coalition argues that education has long been marginalized in national priorities despite its critical impact on Israel's social cohesion, economy, equality of opportunity, and national resilience. Ahead of and following the 2026 elections, they plan to push publicly, professionally, and politically to place education at the center of public discourse. They call on all political parties seeking public trust to present clear visions for the future of public education and commit to concrete steps, including appointing suitable education ministers, establishing national and Hebrew public education councils, ensuring budget equality across education streams, and investing in educational leadership.

Dr. Michal Tabibian Mizrahi, CEO and founder of the Manor Center, emphasized that the education crisis is not inevitable but the result of years of neglect. She urged the next government to rebuild the system’s foundations with quality teaching staff, fair budgeting, professional management, and national planning. The coalition insists the election period is a critical test and demands practical plans, credible candidates for education minister, and clear commitments in coalition agreements, rejecting empty slogans about education’s importance.

The coalition’s message is clear: education is not a marginal issue but the foundation for the future of all Israeli children, requiring urgent and sustained political commitment and action.