The Knesset Education Committee held a meeting to discuss the
budget for yeshivos ketanos whose students do not
participate in the Core Curriculum Program and do not study
secular subjects.
Several months ago the Knesset plenum approved a UTJ-
sponsored bill to make arrangements for the funding of
yeshiva ketanoh students, after the High Court
determined that this funding should be stopped where secular
studies are not taught. On 8 Teves the Education Committee
considered the bill and prepared it for a first reading.
MK Rabbi Moshe Gafni, who requested the meeting, said that
UTJ would like to alter the law given preliminary approval as
a government education law by transforming it into a
mandatory study law, before the first reading. The
yeshivos ketanos would have the status of exempt
institutions and would receive 55 percent of regular funding,
and the law would be amended to extend the funding for
supported students, i.e. children from development towns and
crisis neighborhoods, and for special-ed students, who need
special assistance at the yeshivos ketanos.
UTJ members explained that students from development towns
and special-ed students, who are given extra support in the
other education systems, should not be discriminated against
simply because they attend yeshivos ketanos.
The Education Ministry's legal advisor expressed opposition
to the legislation and asked for a delay pending the High
Court decision on the matter in order to see whether it
accepts the basic decision to fund the yeshivos
ketanos as exempt institutions. The advisor also claimed
that the Education Minister is making efforts based on her
authority to fund exempt institutions to provide funding for
special-ed students enrolled at exempt yeshivos
ketanos.
A Reform representative who participated in the meeting said
that she objected to the legislation, but MK Rabbi Avrohom
Ravitz replied irately, "Who do you represent at this
meeting? Who invited you here? You're a tiny minority and
your stance is of no interest to anyone and does not
represent anyone. What are you doing here in the first
place?"
MK Rabbi Gafni also protested her involvement, calling out,
"Why are you interfering in this issue? I'm against hypocrisy
and evil."
Both Rabbi Ravitz and Rabbi Gafni left the committee hall
until she had finished speaking.
Committee Chairman Michael Melchior and Knesset members
agreed to wait for the High Court decision, expected in
another two weeks, before continuing the discussions.
