Bennett Vs. Ultra-Orthodox education Networks: "We Will Dismantle the State Within a State"
The "Beyachad" party leader unveils a sweeping education plan to defund independent Haredi school systems if he returns to office
Former Prime Minister and "Beyachad" party leader Naftali Bennett launched a fierce critique against the ultra-Orthodox education system on Wednesday, declaring that if he returns to office, he will dismantle independent Haredi school networks like "Bnei Yosef" and "Chinuch Atzmai."
Speaking at the Israel Democracy Institute's Eli Hurvitz Conference on Economy and Society, Bennett unveiled his new educational blueprint, titled "From Tribes to a Nation." The core of the proposal is the immediate cessation of state funding for independent and party-affiliated school systems, aimed at establishing a single, unified national education system.
A 'State Within a State'
During his address, Bennett argued that Israel's current trajectory has allowed an autonomous community to develop at the taxpayers expense, threatening national coherence.
"An independent, anti-Zionist Haredi state has risen right under our noses within Israel, and we are funding it out of our own pockets," Bennett said. "In the next government, we are going to correct the historical mistake of creating separate education systems, which have created separate states."
New Standards for All Sectors
Bennett emphasized that his plan targets any educational institution operating outside national oversight, explicitly broadening his scope beyond the ultra-Orthodox community to include failing frameworks in other sectors.
" I am not talking only about Haredim," Bennett clarified. "This is also true for schools in the Negev that do not teach Hebrew, and where Palestinian teachers are teaching. The rule is simple: if it is not state-run, it is not on my tab."
The 60 Percent Core Curriculum
The proposed educational reform mandates that any school receiving state support must dedicate at least 60 percent of its curriculum to core national subjects, including Hebrew, English, mathematics, the Bible, civics, and Zionism. Individual schools would retain autonomy to design the remaining portion of the school day according to their community's values.
"We will dismantle the state within a state and create one Jewish, democratic, prosperous, and strong state. I am telling you: it's possible, And it will happen Soon" Bennett stated.