Disturbing 'Zubur' Tradition of Israeli High School Seniors Escalates
A disturbing tradition among Israeli high school seniors, known as 'Zubur,' is escalating, involving hazing rituals for younger students that sometimes include alcohol, threats, and humiliation. The practice typically occurs the night before the school year begins, with seniors celebrating and then confronting younger students with water balloons, eggs, and even diapers filled with waste as they arrive at school on the first day. This year, a high school in Beersheba faced scrutiny after older students allegedly sent messages to younger ones threatening abduction and abuse as part of the 'Zubur' ritual, causing significant parental concern.
Moti Geller, chairman of the Beersheba Municipal Parent Leadership, has called for increased enforcement and long-term professional rehabilitation, stating, "We are in a battle for consciousness." He advocates for administrative fines for parents in relevant cases, emphasizing parental responsibility until age 18. Geller attributes the extreme behaviors to broader issues of boredom, peer pressure, and a desire for belonging, referencing online games like 'Super Nahorai' as potentially contributing to a culture where teens seek to appear daring and dangerous for social status.
The creators of the 'Super Nahorai' game have vehemently denied any connection to the 'Zubur' threats, describing their game as a satirical take on Israeli street culture that has been approved by app stores. They argue that the game's popularity has led to an unfair association with pre-existing social phenomena. Meanwhile, efforts to combat the violence include volunteer "parent patrols" in Beersheba and alternative celebratory events in Kiryat Tivon, where the mayor, Ido Greenblum, stated that such abuse has no place in high school, drawing parallels to its unacceptability in the IDF.
Education officials are increasing adult supervision in schoolyards and employing security personnel, though they acknowledge that not all incidents occur on school grounds. Data from the Ramah surveys indicates that about 18% of students report frequent physical, verbal, or online violence, with a significant increase in reported bullying and a rise in criminal cases among teenagers. Police acknowledge a shift in the severity of incidents and the use of minors by criminal organizations, emphasizing the need for early intervention and prevention alongside enforcement.
Experts like Arie Barnea, former principal, suggest the tradition stems from a pleasure derived from humiliating others and is exacerbated by societal exposure to war, terror, and violence, including aggressive political rhetoric. He warns against placing blame solely on parents, stressing the crucial role of schools in fostering respect and teaching conflict resolution. The Ministry of Education states it is monitoring these social phenomena and addressing 'Zubur' incidents with educational and disciplinary measures, while also providing support to affected students.
