Northern Israel Schools Set to Open Without Security Upgrades Despite Promises

In about two weeks, the new school year will begin in northern Israel, yet authorization for security fortifications at 250 educational institutions has not been granted. Last year, the Ministry of Defense issued a 140 million shekel tender to secure kindergartens in the north, but the funds have not been disbursed. Local authorities prepared for the upgrades, but the initial approval for fortifying these institutions has not been implemented.

The Ministry of Finance claims the money was transferred to the Ministry of Defense, which in turn states the issue is still being handled and it is unclear when a new call for bids will be issued. The Ministry of Defense declined to comment on the matter.

Knesset member Gilad Kariv from the Democratic Party condemned the situation as "another criminal negligence by the government," emphasizing that hundreds of daycare centers and kindergartens will open without protection despite explicit commitments to local authorities and the Knesset. He described it as a direct abandonment of northern children and a continuation of the government's reckless handling of home front security.

Alon Schuster, chairman of the State Audit Committee, also criticized the delay, stating there is no justification for the nearly year-long wait after local authorities submitted requests and received preliminary approval. He stressed that children in the north cannot wait for further discussions, decisions, or bureaucratic finger-pointing between ministries.