Israel’s Education Ministry Enforces Ban on Teachers with Palestinian Academic Degrees
The Israeli Ministry of Education has begun enforcing a new law prohibiting the employment of teachers holding academic degrees from Palestinian Authority institutions. The directive, issued recently to district managers and human resources officials, instructs schools not to hire educators with Palestinian academic credentials, with limited exceptions allowing special approval requests. This enforcement follows the law passed by the Knesset in January, initiated by Likud MKs Amit Halevi and Avichai Boaron, aiming to prevent hiring teachers educated in Palestinian universities.
A new survey conducted by the Shomer Hachadash movement and the Rifman Institute, through the Smith Research Institute, revealed that about 67% of the Israeli public believes teachers with Palestinian academic backgrounds do not strengthen students’ identification with Israel. Approximately half of respondents think the law will effectively enhance Arab students’ sense of belonging to the state.
Hagai Raznik, head of the Rifman Institute for Negev Development, emphasized the law’s importance as part of a broader strategy to secure the Negev region, stating that education shapes future generations’ identity and must align with state values. Yoel Zilberman, CEO and founder of Shomer Hachadash, affirmed the organization’s commitment to influencing education and policy to foster Zionist values.
The ministry’s guidelines allow exceptions for candidates who hold an additional recognized Israeli degree and a teaching certificate from an Israeli institution; these candidates can apply for special employment approval through a committee advising the ministry’s director-general. Candidates must present their Palestinian academic credentials and justify their employment request. Those denied approval can appeal to the Education Minister within 21 days.
Meanwhile, a petition challenging the law is pending before Israel’s Supreme Court. The Association for Civil Rights in Israel and other petitioners seek to annul the law and requested a temporary injunction to delay its implementation. The law amends the State Education Law and the School Supervision Law, banning teaching licenses and employment for graduates of West Bank higher education institutions, subject to specified exceptions. Petitioners include the Arab Education Follow-Up Committee, former MK Youssef Atawneh, and several coexistence and workers’ organizations.
