Teachers Union Declares Labor Dispute, Warning of a “Deep Crisis” in Israel’s Schools

With the school year coming to a close and summer vacation around the corner, the Teachers Union announced today (Sunday) that it is declaring a labor dispute in Israel’s secondary education system. The union says the move comes in response to unilateral conduct by the Ministry of Education and local authorities, along with the neglect of a series of major issues affecting teaching staff and the education system as a whole. In the union’s words, the situation amounts to the “abandonment of teaching staff,” and it is warning that if there is no immediate change, organizational steps could intensify.

Among the central issues raised by the union is the sharp rise in violence in schools, which it says is taking place without sufficient backing and protection for teachers. The union pointed a finger at the Ministry of Education and its leadership, accusing them of failing to address a phenomenon that continues to worsen and harm educational staff.

Another claim raised by the Teachers Union concerns the closure of technology tracks and damage to course offerings, which it says is being done without prior consultation with the union. Alongside this, the union also alleges cuts to budgets for special education classes, including *Shahar*, *Mabar*, and *Etgar* frameworks — a move that, according to the union, could lead both to harm to students and to teacher layoffs.

Also on the list of complaints: discrimination in the employment conditions of teachers in the church school system, alongside harm to the rights of special education teachers who teach in grades 9 through 12. The Teachers Union argues that alongside these substantive issues, the Ministry of Education is acting unilaterally and dragging out the negotiations instead of advancing agreed-upon solutions.

Teachers Union chairman Ran Erez addressed the announcement, saying: “This is a deep crisis that endangers not only teaching staff but also the future of the entire education system.” He added: “You can’t expect teachers to deal with violence, budget cuts, and violations of their rights — without backing, without funding, and without real dialogue.”