Minister sees no way for evacuees' returning north 'without intense Hezbollah confrontation'
Speaking at the Israel Hayom conference on education, Education Minister Yoav Kisch said, "Israel should have sought a decisive outcome against Hezbollah last year ... we are committed to bringing residents back to the north securely, and that will only happen through military action."
Israel Hayon
Aug 14, 2024
Kiryat Shmona, in the hills of Israel's far north, is virtually an empty ghost town.
The annual education conference hosted by Israel Hayom convened Wednesday at the Atid Raziel Youth Village in Herzliya, focusing on the education system's preparedness for the new school year and examining the war's profound effects on Israeli youth. Broadcast live on Israel Hayom's digital platforms, the event brings together a diverse array of voices from the field, including educators, administrators, Ministry of Education officials, and students, all sharing firsthand accounts of the challenging past year.
The conference serves as a crucial platform for hearing from those on the front lines of education – professionals, teachers, and principals from across Israel, alongside Ministry of Education representatives and students offering unfiltered perspectives on the tumultuous past year.
In an interview with Israel Hayom's education correspondent Noam (Dabul) Dvir, Education Minister Yoav Kisch hinted that there could be complications as to whether the school year starts smoothly, noting that his staff have "just concluded three weeks of intense negotiations with the Israel Teachers Union. We're now heading into a decisive meeting. The gaps extend beyond personal contracts... There are other unresolved issues that need to be addressed."
Kissh emphasized the urgency of reaching an agreement: "We cannot allow the system to shut down at this critical juncture. We'll present a fair proposal to teachers, and I urge Ran Erez [who runs the union of high school and middle school teachers] to compromise. While he won't get everything, we'll offer an excellent package for parents that will enable us to start the school year under an emergency routine during wartime. Resorting to a strike would be utterly irresponsible."
The site of the barrage on northern Israel
Addressing the security situation, the minister said, "Israel should have sought a decisive outcome against Hezbollah last year. I see no way to safely return residents without an intense confrontation with Hezbollah. We are committed to bringing residents back to the north securely, and that will only happen through military action."
"Amid a leadership vacuum, individuals step up"
Opening the conference, Israel Hayom's Editor-in-Chief Omer Lachmanovitch reflected: "October 7 revealed the spirit of Israeli education in both life and death. We witnessed extraordinary Jewish solidarity in the southern communities under attack, and later throughout the ongoing campaigns in Gaza and the north. We've seen – and continue to see – unwavering dedication to the mission, massive waves of volunteerism, and a profound sense of mutual responsibility across civil society. In the face of a leadership crisis, we've watched individuals courageously step into the void and lead."
Lachmanovitch continued: "Israel Hayom, as a media organization deeply committed to national responsibility, views education as a cornerstone in Israel's journey to build and sustain an exemplary society. However, we must broaden our perspective on education beyond the confines of school walls. It's incumbent upon all of us to pursue continuous improvement and learning, thereby strengthening our communities, our society, our nation, and our people. As Janusz Korczak wisely noted, 'He who cares for days sows wheat, he who cares for years plants trees, he who cares for generations educates people.' We must think in generational terms and craft a vision for Israelis, especially in these challenging times."
Education Minister Yoav Kisch with Israel Hayom reporter Noam
"I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all our partners who helped bring this vital conference to fruition. Special thanks to Yossi Mamo, CEO of the Atid Network, for our shared vision; to Avi Lugasi, director of the Atid Raziel Youth Village, our gracious host; to Ifat Ovadia-Luski, chairwoman of KKL-JNF; to Prof. Eliezer Shalev, president of Tel-Hai Academic College; and to Dr. Shira Hirsh, director of Escola at the Future Scientists Center.
"On a personal note, I'd like to express my appreciation to Amir Finkelstein, CEO of the Israel Hayom Group, and our exceptional conferences and events team, led by Or Dayan, for orchestrating this critical event that will benefit our youth and Israeli society as a whole," Lachmanovitch added.
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